Statement on NetChoice v. Bonta Ruling

SAN FRANCISCO, March 12, 2026—Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer issued the following statement on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit's decision in NetChoice v. Bonta, which upheld the constitutionality of California's Age-Appropriate Design Code Act:

"This is a huge win for California kids and families, and potentially for kids across the country. By once again upholding much of the state's landmark kids' privacy and age-appropriate design law, the court has taken meaningful action toward building the digital future our children deserve.

"This ruling affirms what children's online safety advocates have long argued: privacy and age-appropriate design should be the expectation, not the exception, for kids, period. It is possible and constitutional to design products that support kids and families online.

"This is a significant step toward holding companies accountable and making the online world safer and healthier for kids across our state. We thank Attorney General Bonta for defending this law and Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks for having first passed it in 2023."

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.