California Enacts Sweeping Online Child-Safety Laws

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed 13 pieces of legislation strengthening protections for children using social media, AI chatbots and other digital technologies, creating what his office described as the nation's strongest set of child-safety laws in these areas.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation strengthening online protections for children, including restrictions on addictive social media features and new safeguards for AI chatbots.

The measures, signed Sept. 10, prohibit social media platforms from providing users under 16 with certain behaviorally addictive features, including autoplay and algorithmic feeds based on users' histories and profiles.

The legislation also strengthens safeguards for companion chatbots, expands privacy protections and increases protections against digitally altered or AI-generated sexual material involving minors.

One of the new chatbot measures requires operators to provide disclosures when minors are interacting with artificial intelligence rather than a human. The legislation also requires safeguards for situations involving self-harm or suicidal ideation, parental controls and independent child-safety audits.

Another law gives families greater control over school-issued electronic devices.

SB 1128 prohibits local educational agencies from requiring a kindergarten pupil to take home a school-issued electronic device and requires the California Department of Education to develop model policies for age-appropriate use of school devices.

The new legislation also includes provisions addressing age-assurance technology, targeted advertising, the use of K-12 pupil data in AI systems and child sexual exploitation.

Newsom's office described the package as the strongest collection of companion-chatbot and social-media protections in the nation.

California's action comes as states across the country consider legislation governing AI chatbots and online services used by children.

A June 2026 review by the International Association of Privacy Professionals found that 11 states had already enacted chatbot laws at that point, while other states were considering additional measures.