Tech Giants Challenge California Law on Kids' Social Media Use

Google, Meta, and TikTok filed separate lawsuits in federal court on Wednesday to challenge a California law designed to limit how social media platforms engage children younger than 16. The legislation, Assembly Bill 1709, prohibits these companies from using specific features that keep users scrolling, such as autoplay and algorithmic content recommendations.

The law was introduced by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, a Democrat from Long Beach. His office stated that the bill aims to protect developing brains from the anxiety and depression associated with excessive screen time. Lowenthal described the addictive nature of these digital features as harmful and inappropriate for young users.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, filed its suit in the Northern District of California. Google and YouTube also filed in the Northern District, while TikTok filed in the Central District of California. All three companies argue that the state is infringing on their First Amendment rights to free speech. They also cited the Communications Decency Act, which generally shields online platforms from liability for content posted by third parties.

In its legal filing, Meta accused the state of attempting to appoint itself as the editor and curator of online speech. The company argued that the law overrides its editorial judgment regarding how to display billions of posts from third-party users. Attorneys for TikTok argued that the new bill effectively nullifies a previous law, Senate Bill 976, by preventing platforms from offering addictive features even when parents give consent.

TikTok's lawsuit included a specific example involving a parent who used the company's Family Pairing tool. The attorneys noted that the parent had set a 30-minute daily screen limit and enabled Restricted Mode for her 15-year-old daughter. Despite these measures, the law would prevent the parent from allowing her daughter to see a personalized feed of new musicians and science educators. The filing argued that this removes the parent's ability to make choices about her child's online expression.

This legal action follows a series of successful lawsuits brought by California and other states against major technology firms. Those cases resulted in large civil settlements. For instance, Meta agreed to pay up to $17 billion and implement changes to its platforms, including hiding likes and reactions for some users and blocking extreme makeup filters for teens. The company also committed to setting a default two-hour daily time limit for teens, which they can only turn off with parental permission.

The new bills, including Assembly Bill 1709 and the earlier Senate Bill 976, both take effect on January 1. Senate Bill 976, known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, already faces a legal challenge. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to hear arguments in that case next spring. Tech industry groups have previously opposed these bills, arguing they would hamper users' ability to connect with family and friends.

A representative for California Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office was reviewing the new litigation. The state has been a frequent plaintiff in cases against social media companies, alleging that they designed harmful features to hook young users. In a separate landmark case, a Los Angeles jury in March found that Instagram and YouTube were responsible for the suffering of a 20-year-old woman who became hooked on the platforms in grade school. She was awarded $6 million in damages for her claims of addiction and related suffering.