The California Catholic Conference (CCC) is excited to report the signing of four significant bills strengthening protections for children using social media and artificial intelligence (AI). The CCC supported AB 1709, AB 2, SB 1119, and AB 1856 as important steps toward protecting children’s safety, mental health, and development while giving parents greater support in navigating the digital world.
“Technology should serve children and families, not exploit children’s vulnerabilities or compromise their well-being,” said CCC Associate Director for Healthy Families Molly Sheahan. “These new laws establish important safeguards and provide parents with greater support to protect their children’s well-being in an increasingly digital world.”
AB 1709 prohibits online platforms from providing addictive features, such as autoplay and algorithmic feeds, to users under 16 and establishes an e-Safety Advisory Commission to provide yearly reports and advise the state on emerging online risks. A huge thank you to all who participated in or promoted the bill through the CCC statewide action alert, which urged Catholics to contact their legislators in support of protecting children from online products designed to encourage compulsive use.
AB 2 holds social media platforms financially accountable when their failure to exercise reasonable care causes injury to a child. The law recognizes that companies that design and operate these platforms must also bear responsibility for preventable harms caused by their products.
SB 1119, known as “Adam’s Law,” establishes comprehensive safeguards for children interacting with companion chatbots. It requires companies to assess potential risks to children, implement safety and crisis-response protocols, provide parental controls, and undergo independent child-safety audits.
AB 1856, the Digital Age Assurance Act, strengthens California’s age-assurance system by clarifying how operating systems and software applications must transmit and use age-verification signals. These requirements will help online services deliver age-appropriate experiences while reducing the need for children to disclose additional personal information.
“Children need the knowledge and skills to use technology wisely, but education alone cannot protect them from platforms intentionally designed to capture their attention,” said CCC Director of Education Samara Palko. “These new laws provide important safeguards while supporting parents and schools in helping students develop healthy, responsible relationships with technology.”
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the CCC will continue to seek ways to protect children’s dignity, safety, and well-being and to provide parents with meaningful tools to safeguard their children in the digital world. Visit cacatholic.org for the latest.