Governor Newsom signs the strongest child safety chatbot and social media laws in the nation

Governor Gavin Newsom signed landmark bipartisan legislation strengthening California’s nation-leading protections for children online and when using artificial intelligence (AI). The new laws strengthen safeguards for companion chatbots, prohibit social media platforms from offering addictive features to users under 16, and expand privacy protections for children. The bills will protect children by:

• Creating the strongest companion chatbot regulations in the nation — Named after Adam Raine, “Adam’s Law” requires robust protections around companion chatbots for children, including crisis protocols in the case of suicidal ideation, parental controls, and notifications should a child disable safety settings. The bill is also the first in the country to require companies to conduct independent child safety audits and annual risk assessments. 
• Banning addictive features on social media platforms — Prohibits social media companies from providing users under the age of 16 with addictive features such as autoplay and algorithmic feeds based on user history and profile. 
• Protecting kids from exploitation and abuse — Expands the scope of child sexual exploitation to include any digitally altered or AI-generated matter that depicts a person under 18 engaged in an act of sexual conduct. 
• Providing the strongest privacy protections — Protects kids from targeted advertising and regulates the use of K-12 pupil data in AI systems.