Common Sense Media Responds to NetChoice Complaint Against California’s SB 976

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 12, 2024 — Today, NetChoice filed a lawsuit against California SB 976, a bill that was passed and signed into law this year to address addictive design features of social media platforms that harm children and teens. In response, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer issued the following statement.

"This lawsuit is hypocritical and underscores the fact that there is nothing more important to large social media companies than the profits they extract from addicting young people to their products. That's why tech companies and organizations like NetChoice have spent millions lobbying in Sacramento to oppose legislation to protect kids online. And that's also why California's new law, similar to New York's new law, the SAFE for Kids Act, is so important. It is a common sense and constitutional approach to make the internet healthier and safer for kids.

"Under the state's new law, social media companies will not be able to use addictive feeds and other harmful features that keep kids glued to their devices. This law rightly puts users, not social media giants, in control of what they see online. This law does not censor speech, period. Kids and teens (and adults) will continue to be able to search for and access any content on the internet. This means that they can look for whatever they want to see, read, or hear, and they can communicate with their friends, family and communities of interest. Meta itself has already adopted policies in their widely advertised Instagram Teen Accounts to protect teens that share several of the elements of California's new law.

"Once again, social media companies refuse to accept any regulation of their industry despite the known fact that their products are harming kids and teens. California lawmakers overwhelmingly felt differently, and they passed a good law to protect kids that abides by the constitution. Shame on Netchoice and the companies that hide behind them."