# California enacts digital safety and AI regulations for kids

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-and-california-education-and-digital-safety-bills
> Updated: 2026-09-09T15:00:30.000Z. Sources: 61. Developments: 4.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a comprehensive package of 13 laws aimed at protecting children and adolescents from the risks associated with social media and artificial intelligence.

Key measures include Assembly Bill 1709, which prohibits social media platforms from providing “addictive” features—such as infinite scroll, algorithmic recommendations, and autoplay—to users under the age of 16. Platforms found negligent in causing harm through these features could face penalties of up to $1 million per child.

To address artificial intelligence, the legislation includes SB 1119, known as ‘Adam’s Law.’ This mandate requires conversational AI chatbot operators to perform risk assessments, implement parental controls, and establish crisis protocols. Specifically, chatbots must notify parents if a minor shows signs of self-harm during interactions. To ensure compliance, the state is establishing a regulatory framework that includes a registry for independent AI auditors and a system for certifying Independent Verification Organizations to assess AI risks.

Additional protections include Assembly Bill 1159, which prohibits technology companies from utilizing student educational data to train AI models. The package also introduces new protections for artists' digital images against unauthorized AI-generated performances and expands criminal sanctions to encompass AI-generated or digitally altered child sexual abuse material.

While major developers like OpenAI and Anthropic have supported these regulations, some digital rights groups and tech giants have raised concerns regarding privacy, free speech implications, and implementation practicalities. Furthermore, Assembly Bill 2071 directs the California Department of Education to develop a plan by January 1, 2028, to expand digital wellness instruction in public schools.

## Claims

- Social media companies can be penalized up to $1 million per child for negligence in harming children. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Knowing violations of Assembly Bill 1709 can result in civil penalties of up to $50,000 per affected minor. (disputed)
- Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of 13 digital safety laws in California. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The laws ban addictive social media features, such as infinite scroll and autoplay, for users under 16. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- The SB 1119 law, known as the ‘Adam Law’, requires risk audits and parental controls for conversational AI chatbots. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The legislation establishes a framework for independent organizations to audit AI systems for legal compliance. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- AI chatbot operators must perform risk assessments before rolling out products. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: California enacts sweeping digital safety and AI regulation laws

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 13 laws to protect minors, banning addictive social media features for those under 16 and regulating AI chatbots through risk audits and parental controls.

54 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-enacts-digital-wellness-and-social-media-safeguards-for-minors

### 2026-08-30: California Catholic Conference urges support for social media restrictions

California Catholic leaders are advocating for a bill to restrict addictive social media features for minors, following a multi-billion dollar settlement by Meta regarding youth mental health.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-catholic-conference-urges-support-for-social-media-restrictions

### 2026-08-17: California social media bills target addictive features for minors

California bills AB 1709 and AB 2 have cleared a key committee, aiming to restrict addictive social media features for minors and allow legal action against platforms if children are harmed.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-social-media-bills-target-addictive-features-for-minors

### 2026-08-07: READ Act and California Education Bills Target Literacy and Digital Wellness

The READ Act seeks to modernize federal literacy funding, while California bills like AB 2071 and AB 1709 target digital wellness education and age limits on social‑media use for students.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/read-act-and-california-education-bills-target-literacy-and-digital-wellness

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Cite as: California enacts digital safety and AI regulations for kids. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-and-california-education-and-digital-safety-bills