California’s ban on addictive feeds for minors goes into effect after judge’s approval

January 18, 2025February 6, 2025 EquityExplained

Late Tuesday Evening, a Federal Judge Blocked Tech Lobbying Group NetChoice’s Challenge to California’s Recently Enacted Law

A federal judge has allowed California’s ban on addictive feeds for minors to go into effect. The law, known as SB 976, prohibits companies from serving ‘addictive feeds’ to minors without explicit parental consent.

Table of Contents

Background

SB 976 defines an addictive feed as an algorithm that selects and recommends content for users based on their behavior, rather than their explicit preferences. This means that companies will no longer be able to use algorithms that keep users engaged for hours by serving them content they are likely to click on or engage with.

The Law’s Requirements

Beginning January 1, 2027, companies will be required to use ‘age assurance techniques,’ such as age estimation models, to determine whether a user is a minor and adjust their feed accordingly. This means that users under the age of 18 will only see content that has been approved by parents or guardians.

NetChoice’s Challenge

In November, NetChoice, whose members include Meta, Google, and X (formerly Twitter), sued to enjoin SB 976 in its entirety, arguing that the law violates the First Amendment. However, the judge denied the motion for an injunction but did block other elements of the law, including a restriction on nighttime notifications for minors.

Why Is This Law Important?

The California law is part of a growing trend to regulate the use of addictive feeds by tech companies. In June, New York passed similar legislation aimed at protecting minors from the negative effects of social media addiction.

Addictive Feeds: A Growing Concern

Addictive feeds have become a major concern in recent years as users spend increasing amounts of time on social media platforms, often to the detriment of their mental and physical health. Tech companies have been criticized for using algorithms that prioritize engagement over user well-being.

The Impact of SB 976

SB 976 has significant implications for tech companies operating in California, including:

Changes to Algorithmic Feeds: Companies will no longer be able to serve addictive feeds to minors without explicit parental consent.
Age Assurance Techniques: Companies will need to use age estimation models or other age assurance techniques to determine whether a user is a minor and adjust their feed accordingly.
Parental Consent: Parents or guardians will need to provide explicit consent for minors to access certain content.

What’s Next?

The California law is just one part of a larger effort to regulate the use of addictive feeds by tech companies. As more states consider similar legislation, it remains to be seen how companies will adapt to these new regulations.

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