Meta, Google, and TikTok have jointly filed a lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta, challenging a state law set to take effect next year that would restrict social media access for children under 16. The suit, filed in federal court, argues that the California law, which requires platforms to obtain parental consent and verify users' ages, violates the First Amendment and imposes unworkable compliance burdens on technology companies. The plaintiffs contend the legislation duplicates federal protections and forces platforms to collect sensitive personal data from minors, raising privacy concerns.
The law, known as the California Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and aims to curb addictive design features and limit minors' exposure to harmful content. Attorney General Bonta's office has defended the measure as a necessary safeguard for youth mental health. The lawsuit marks an escalation in the broader national debate over regulating children's online activity, with similar legislation facing legal challenges in other states. A court hearing is expected in the coming months, and the outcome could set a precedent for how far states may go in regulating social media platforms' interactions with minors.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.