California Signs 'Adam's Law' and Sweeping Tech Safeguards for Minors

Key points

• Newsom enacted 13 bills targeting online safety, including AB 1709, which prohibits addictive features for under-16s.
• New laws require AI chatbots to have crisis protocols that alert parents if a minor shows signs of self-harm.
• A four-year moratorium was placed on the manufacture and sale of toys containing AI companion chatbots.
• The legislation expands criminal sanctions to include AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
• Companies face potential penalties of up to $1 million per child for negligence in causing harm.

Background

This legislation follows a series of regulatory moves in 2026, including a major settlement with Meta in August 2026 where the company agreed to pay up to $18 billion to limit teen usage. Earlier in September, California lawmakers advanced over two dozen similar bills, prompting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to reach out to Newsom regarding concerns. The new laws build on existing state regulations, such as 2025 mandates requiring platforms to disclose AI interactions, and align with a global trend of restricting social media access for minors, similar to recent bans in Australia.

How outlets are covering it

Supporters, including Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and parents of victims, argue the laws are necessary to address a youth mental health crisis and hold tech companies accountable for 'engineering' addiction. Critics, notably the Electronic Frontier Foundation, describe the measures as a 'privacy and free speech nightmare,' arguing the broad definition of 'addictive features' effectively bans minors from essential digital information. Meta expressed concern that restricting algorithmic feeds hinders their ability to provide age-appropriate, personalized content, while OpenAI supported the chatbot safety measures as balancing protection with access.

Why it matters

California's new laws set a precedent for national tech regulation, potentially influencing policy in other states and countries. The strict liability and feature bans could force major tech companies to fundamentally redesign their platforms for younger users, shifting the industry focus from engagement metrics to safety and wellbeing. This marks a significant escalation in government intervention in the tech sector, moving beyond voluntary guidelines to enforceable legal standards.

What to watch

Regulators will define specific 'psychologically exploitative' features in future rulemaking. Tech companies must implement new crisis protocols and parental controls for AI chatbots. The four-year ban on AI companion toys will take effect immediately, while other measures will require phased compliance. California will also establish a registry of independent AI auditors to evaluate safety risks, creating a new oversight framework for the industry.