Law Aims to Curb Online Harm to Young Users
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation that compels social media companies to display mental health warnings to minors, citing growing evidence of the platforms’ negative impact on youth. The law applies to major apps including TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, marking the first time a U.S. state has introduced mandatory on-screen health alerts for social media use.
Warnings Will Appear During Use
Under the measure, users under 18 will receive a 10-second skippable message when they first log in each day. If they remain on the app for more than three hours, an unskippable 30-second warning will appear, repeating every additional hour. The alerts must explicitly state that social media use poses serious risks to children’s mental health—a phrase taken from the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on youth and social media.
Part of Comprehensive Child Safety Legislation
The warning requirement is one of several new online safety laws introduced in California. Other provisions include stricter age verification rules, regulations on AI interactions with minors, and penalties for distributing deepfake content. With these measures, California is positioning itself as a national leader in addressing the mental health effects and safety challenges facing young people in the digital age.
