Common Sense Media Applauds Governor Newsom’s Signature of AB 1709
California becomes the first state to require social, media platforms to strip addictive features for users under 16
SAN FRANCISCO, September 10, 2026—Governor Gavin Newsom today signed AB 1709, authored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal. The law bars covered platforms from providing addictive features, including personalized feeds and autoplay, to users under 16. Platforms may still offer accounts to younger users, but only without those features. The Legislature passed the bill without a single no vote in either house.
Jim Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, issued the following statement:
"California just drew the line the industry spent a decade pretending didn't exist. Platforms will no longer be able to target kids under 16 with features that have been engineered to siphon their attention. That is a major victory for kids, and California won it first. Every legislator in every statehouse should be putting this bill into motion. We thank Governor Newsom for signing it and the Legislature for passing it without a single no vote."
What AB 1709 Does
The new law prohibits covered platforms from serving addictive features to users under 16, defined to include addictive feeds and autoplay. It also requires platforms to verify a user's age under the Digital Age Assurance Act before serving those features.
AB 1709 authorizes civil penalties of up to $50,000 per affected minor for knowing violations and $25,000 for negligent violations, enforceable by the Attorney General or a local public prosecutor. It also gives the Attorney General rulemaking authority to define additional addictive features and to adjust which platforms are covered.
The law also establishes an independent five-member e-Safety Advisory Commission, housed at the Department of Justice, which will report annually to the Legislature and the Governor.
The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
Common Sense Media sponsored AB 1709.
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.