Tech Giants Challenge California’s Restrictions on Teen Social Media

The companies filed separate lawsuits in federal courts, arguing that Assembly Bill 1709 violates their First Amendment rights and federal protections for online platforms. Google and Meta filed in the Northern District of California; TikTok brought its case in the Central District.

The law bars social media platforms from offering children under 16 features the state considers psychologically exploitative, including autoplay and recommended-content displays. It is scheduled to take effect on January 1.

Meta’s lawsuit argues that California cannot dictate how the company selects and presents posts. TikTok says the law could prevent parents from approving features for their children, even when they use its Family Pairing tools and other safety settings. The companies also cite Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office is reviewing the cases.

Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, who introduced the bill, has said features such as autoplay can harm developing brains, pointing to anxiety and depression among young people. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the measure as part of a broader effort to address risks to children online.

The dispute comes as tech companies face numerous lawsuits alleging that social media products contribute to addiction and mental health problems among young users. Meta has agreed to a settlement involving changes to Facebook and Instagram, while continuing to deny wrongdoing. The new cases are at an early stage. Another California law addressing social media features for minors is also due to take effect January 1, and its separate legal challenge is expected to reach the 9th Circuit next spring.

California’s Child-Safety Law Faces Another Tech Industry Challenge

Three of the largest social media companies are asking federal courts to stop California from restricting features that can keep young users scrolling. Their lawsuits target Assembly Bill 1709, which bars platforms from offering children under 16 functions like automatic playback and content suggestions.

The companies say the law violates the First Amendment and federal platform protections. But the state’s measure addresses concerns raised by families and public officials about children’s exposure to social media. Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, who introduced the bill, has cited anxiety and depression among young people and described autoplay as harmful to developing brains.

The lawsuits arrive amid a wave of claims that social media companies designed products that contribute to addiction and mental health problems among children. Meta has agreed to make changes to Facebook and Instagram as part of a settlement, while denying wrongdoing. California’s law is set to take effect January 1, but the companies’ challenges could prevent its restrictions from taking hold.

The case puts the companies’ control over how they present online content against the state’s effort to protect minors. California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office is reviewing the litigation, which remains at an early stage.

California’s Social Media Rules Put Parental Choice at Risk

California is moving to restrict how social media platforms present content to minors, even as parents may want to decide which features are appropriate for their own children. Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits on November 4 seeking to block Assembly Bill 1709, which is due to take effect January 1.

The companies argue that the law violates the First Amendment and federal protections for online platforms. TikTok says the measure could deny a parent the ability to approve a personalized feed even when the parent has connected accounts, set a screen-time limit and enabled restrictions. That is the central consequence of a law that leaves less room for family judgment.

Supporters, including bill author Josh Lowenthal, say features such as autoplay can harm young people and point to anxiety and depression among children. But California’s approach regulates how platforms organize and recommend content, raising the constitutional concerns the companies have brought before federal courts.

The cases are at an early stage, and the state attorney general’s office is reviewing them. A separate California law on social media features for minors is also scheduled to take effect January 1, leaving families and companies facing overlapping restrictions and legal disputes.