Story perspectives

Newsom Signs 13 Laws to Curb Under-16 Tech Risks

9/11/2026

Left

Newsom Protects Kids

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 13 new laws on September 10, 2026, to protect children from online technology risks.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned the social-media ban could effectively block all under-16 users from online information and speech.
The AI-chatbot law, named after Adam Raine, limits minors’ usage time and requires mental-health resources.
Lawmakers say package responds to a teen mental-health crisis and parents’ inability to curb algorithms.

Right

Newsom Bans AI

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of 13 new laws on September 10, 2026, aimed at protecting children from online technology risks.
The criticism targeted the Trump administration and capitalist David Sacks for a “let it rip” stance on AI regulation.
The laws ban infinite scroll, algorithmic autoplay and similar exploitative features for users under 16.
It bans AI chatbot toys and adds penalties for AI child sexual abuse.

Center

Newsom Shields Kids

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a 13-law package on Thursday, September 10, 2026, aimed at shielding children from online technology risks.
Meta said it will continue offering teen-safe experiences but warned the ban on addictive feeds could curb enjoyable content on its platforms.
It bans exploitative social-media features for users under 16.
AI-chatbot operators must perform risk assessments and provide parental-control options for users under 18.

Blindspot

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the new package bans the manufacture and sale of toys containing AI companion chatbots for a four-year period.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), enacted by the U.S. Congress, forced websites to obtain parental consent for users under 13. The Federal Trade Commission, COPPA’s enforcer, imposed $43,280 per violation and secured $1.5 billion in fines across major tech firms through 2020. Governor Gavin Newsom’s September 10, 2026 package of 13 statutes, criticized by Meta and entrepreneur David Sacks, mirrors COPPA’s aim to limit algorithmic harms to minors. If California’s approach proves enforceable, the state could pressure the Federal Communications Commission and other jurisdictions to adopt nationwide safeguards for youth digital wellbeing.

1 of 5

Newsom Protects Kids

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 13 new laws on September 10, 2026, to protect children from online technology risks.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned the social-media ban could effectively block all under-16 users from online information and speech.
The AI-chatbot law, named after Adam Raine, limits minors’ usage time and requires mental-health resources.
Lawmakers say package responds to a teen mental-health crisis and parents’ inability to curb algorithms.

1 / 5