The era of unrestricted internet access for minors is beginning to shift, as states begin to enact stricter rules for children’s online activity. New laws in states outside of California require parental consent for minors accessing social media platforms, reflecting a broader push to protect children online.
In recent years, California has passed legislation of its own aimed at protecting children on the internet and restricting access. One such law is the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976). Enacted in 2024, the act makes it unlawful for online platforms to provide “addictive feeds” to minors under the age of 18 without verifiable parental consent. The Attorney General will be tasked with enforcing the act beginning January 1, 2027.
In 2025, California also passed the “Digital Age Assurance Act” (AB 1043). The Act requires device manufacturers and app store operators to assign users to age categories before granting access to social media and certain other online services. The law will become effective on January 1, 2027.
