Common Sense Media, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Parents, and Youth Call on Governor Newsom to Sign Kids’ Online Safety Legislation

SAN FRANCISCO, September 26, 2025 — At a press conference today, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer, California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, and parents and youth from across the state urged Governor Gavin Newsom to sign two of Bauer-Kahan's kids' online safety bills, which the state senate passed earlier this month.

Assembly Bill 56 would require warning labels on addictive social media platforms, while Assembly Bill 1064 would limit children's use of unsafe AI companion chatbots. The latter is the only chatbot bill on the governor's desk and in the country that both protects industry innovation and strictly limits kids' use of AI companion chatbots that promote suicide, self-harm, or illegal activity. Details on AB1064 can be found here and on AB 56 here.

Highlights from the press conference are below:

"This is a very straightforward, simple choice for Governor Newsom and, quite frankly, for the citizens of California and this country. Are we going to… put common-sense, thoughtful guardrails around these platforms that are having an extraordinary impact on our children, our teens, and our entire society? The choice is clear. We are on the right side of history," said Steyer.

"There's no question that the vast majority of Californians want their children protected. And both of these bills do exactly that. So, I am just hopeful… that [Governor Newsom] will act as a dad, that he will act as someone who cares about California's children… and I am grateful that when he does, California will truly lead the nation in putting children first, protecting them, and ensuring that they get to live the long, happy, healthy lives that every single one of our children deserve," said Bauer-Kahan.

"On August 7th, 2024, I lost my 16-year-old daughter, Alexandra — we called her Owl — to suicide. Owl's birthday is next week, on October 1. She would have been celebrating her 18th birthday. Instead, I'm here talking to you all about my loss and what must be done to prevent other parents from suffering a loss like mine. Social media was not the only factor, but it played a devastating role in her final decision, compounded by bullying at her school, Redwood High School, Governor Newsom's alma mater. Governor, if this can happen at your former high school, just think about what is happening all over the state," said Victoria Hinks, whose daughter Alexandra died by suicide after becoming addicted to social media.

"I shudder to think of the impact it would have on kids if programmable ‘best friends' were available to the average elementary school child. Put quite simply, AI companions are not safe for anyone under the age of 18. The reality is, kids won't miss what they don't know, but we'll know, which is why the onus is on us to establish the guardrails and safety measures around social media and AI companions. It is for these reasons and, for the sake of every child and parent in our state, I am urging Governor Newsom to sign Assembly Bills 56 and 1064," said licensed mental health therapist Denise Uhl.

"We know these are not safe platforms for kids yet. And we know Big Tech will continue to prioritize profit over safety without external pressure. This is a critical moment. So I'm asking my Governor, Governor Newsom, to sign AB 1064 and AB 56 so that we can put in the guardrails and guide technology's growth towards a safer and more humane future," said youth advocate Katia Martha.

AB 56 and AB 1064, which both passed the state senate with bipartisan support, await Governor Newsom's signature at a pivotal moment for children's well-being. Social media use is linked to mental health challenges ranging from anxiety and depression to self-harm and suicidal ideation. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and more than 40 state attorneys general have called for warning labels on social media platforms like those required by AB 56.

The rapid adoption of AI companion chatbots threatens to supercharge the youth mental health crisis. Three in four teens have used AI companion chatbots, with half using them regularly. However, recent tragedies reaffirm Common Sense Media's recommendation that no one under 18 use AI for companionship. At least three teens have taken their own lives after confiding in AI, including Juliana Peralta in Colorado, Sewell Setzer III in Florida, and Adam Raine in Orange County, California. Americans across the political aisle support AI safeguards by a 9-to-1 margin; in California, AB 1064 is supported by nearly 70 organizations and parents across the state.

Watch the full press conference here.

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.4 million educators every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.