Governor Newsom Signs Social Media Protection Bill Into Law

We applaud Governor Gavin Newsom who signed SB 976 into law on September 20, 2024. This bill, authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and about which we wrote previously, prohibits addictive feeds and holds social media companies liable if they fail to comply.

SB976 takes a firm stance against exploitative digital practices and knowingly providing addictive content feeds to minors, including algorithms that intentionally keep young users engaged, such as endless scrolling or reward-based systems. Moreover, social media companies that knowingly violate these rules will face significant legal consequences, including potential fines and lawsuits if they fail to comply​. Finally, this legislation is part of California's broader effort to address rising concerns over the mental health impacts of social media on youth, particularly issues like depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying.

The challenges we foresee implementing this bill is enforcement, as determining what constitutes an "addictive" feature can be subjective, and tech companies may push back against regulation of their algorithms. Since the law applies only to platforms operating in California, it may be less effective without similar regulations being enacted on a national level. 

Overall, SB 976 reflects California’s leadership in regulating digital spaces to protect the mental health and well-being of minors. We agree with this important stance in safeguarding our youth from addictive algorithms as well as potential online vulnerability to harassment.  Its success will likely depend on robust enforcement and broader legislative support​.

Image credit: Social Media Victims Law Center