California lawmakers have approved a bill aimed at restricting social media companies from offering features deemed addictive to users younger than 16. This legislative move comes shortly after Meta agreed to an $18 billion settlement in a lawsuit accusing the company of negatively impacting teenagers in the state.
If signed into law by the governor, the legislation would introduce significant changes. It aims to prohibit the auto-play function for teen users, among other modifications. Auto-play refers to the automatic playing of videos without user input, a feature that many believe contributes to prolonged usage among teenagers.
The measure reflects growing concerns about the influence of social media on young users. Lawmakers argue that these platforms use certain features designed to keep teens engaged, often for prolonged periods, which can have harmful effects.
This development follows other actions by states and organizations addressing the role of social media in teen mental health. The scrutiny and resulting legal pressures indicate a shift toward more regulatory oversight on how social platforms engage younger audiences.
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