A recent federal court ruling has allowed California’s SB 976 to move forward, marking a significant step in the state’s effort to protect minors from addictive online content. The law, which was enacted to curb the impact of algorithm-driven content feeds, prohibits companies from serving “addictive feeds” to minors unless they obtain explicit parental consent. These addictive feeds are defined as algorithms that recommend content based on users’ behavior rather than their direct preferences, with the goal of limiting the potential for excessive screen time and harmful content consumption.
The law, which is set to take effect on January 3, 2025, will require companies to ensure they are not serving minors with content designed to keep them engaged for extended periods. Companies will be expected to adjust their content delivery systems to prevent the targeting of minors with potentially addictive features unless parental approval is obtained. This move is part of a growing trend to impose regulations that focus on the safety and well-being of younger internet users.
In addition to the immediate requirements, SB 976 also introduces long-term measures for age verification. Starting in 2027, companies will be mandated to use age assurance techniques, including age estimation models, to identify whether a user is a minor. These measures are intended to ensure that content recommendations are properly tailored and that minors are not exposed to inappropriate or addictive content without safeguards in place.
The legislation faced significant opposition from tech industry giants, including Meta, Google, and X, which are all members of the tech lobbying group NetChoice. In response, NetChoice filed a lawsuit arguing that the law infringes on First Amendment rights. While the judge denied the injunction request to block the law entirely, it did halt some provisions, such as a restriction on nighttime notifications for minors. Despite these setbacks for the law’s opponents, the ruling ensures that California’s effort to regulate online content for minors will move forward, setting a precedent for future digital safety legislation.
