California age limits on social media gain support, face debate

California is leading a nationwide legislative push to restrict social media access for minors, reflecting a shift in public opinion where a majority of U.S. adults now support banning users under 16. Recent measures include the Digital Age Assurance Act and proposed bans on accounts for younger teens, alongside restrictions on addictive algorithms and notifications. These developments signal a significant regulatory shift for the social media sector as governments seek to address concerns over platform safety and child privacy.

Lawmakers in more than half of all U.S. states have introduced legislation aimed at limiting children’s access to social media, with California positioned at the forefront of the movement. A recent Pew Research poll indicates that more than half of U.S. adults favor banning children under 16 from these platforms, while approximately one-quarter remain unsure and 20% oppose such measures. This legislative wave includes various proposals such as mandatory age verification, parental consent requirements, and the potential for holding social media companies liable for alleged harms caused by their platforms.

California has already enacted several key pieces of legislation, including Senate Bill 976, which prohibits platforms from providing “addictive feeds” or notifications to minors during school hours or at night without parental approval. Furthermore, the 2025 Digital Age Assurance Act (Assembly Bill 1043) will require device manufacturers and app store operators to assign users to age categories before allowing access to social media starting in 2027. Currently, the state is considering Assembly Bill 1709, which would outright bar children under 16 from holding accounts and establish an “e-Safety Advisory Commission” reporting to the state attorney general.

These efforts mirror international trends, such as in Australia, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is working to strengthen existing bans for children under 16 after initial measures were deemed insufficient. However, the push for “age-gating” and similar restrictions faces significant pushback from critics who argue that requiring personal details for verification threatens the privacy of both adults and minors. Additionally, opponents suggest that these restrictions could infringe upon the free speech rights of younger users, creating a complex legal and ethical landscape for major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.