California signs child-safety laws restricting AI chatbots and social media for teens
California's governor has signed more than a dozen laws regulating teenagers' use of social media and chatbots, including Adam's Law, named after a teenager who died by suicide after conversations with ChatGPT. Age verification extends to addictive feeds and AI chatbots.
Who is affected and how
- parent
- The California model points toward parental notification and age verification, so it is worth learning the platforms' new settings.
- education policymaker
- The package could serve as a template for other regulators on chatbot obligations towards minors.
- edtech company
- Chatbots aimed at minors must provide age verification and protective features.
- student
- Teenagers' chatbot and social media use across California will face stricter limits.
Sources
- After Teen’s Death, California Signs Sweeping New AI Chatbot Safety Law for Kidscrosswalk.com · Sep 17, 2026
- Newsom Signs California Ban on AI Chatbot Toys for Kids Under 16law commentary · Sep 17, 2026
- California Enacts Major Child-Safety Laws for AI Chatbots and Social Mediasafeaiforchildren.org · Sep 14, 2026
- Newsom signs California’s strongest laws for child safety on chatbots and social media, governor’s office says | The Golden Coast Journalgoldencoastjournal.com · Sep 14, 2026
- California Enacts 13 Bills Restricting Teens’ Social Media and Chatbot Usesearchengine.news · Sep 15, 2026
- EU details plan to restrict children's social media, AI chatbot useyahoo.com · Sep 17, 2026
- A Governor's Dozen: 13+ Bills Addressing Artificial Intelligence, Online Youth Safety, and Privacy Signed in Californiafreshfields · Sep 16, 2026
- Artificial Intelligence and Youth Online - CSG Southcsgsouth.org · Sep 16, 2026
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