Social media is fueling a public health crisis. Teenage depression has nearly doubled since 2014, and teenage suicide has increased by 62% from 2007 to 2021. A growing body of evidence has shown that social media is a leading cause behind these sobering trends.
This is the result of social media companies optimizing their algorithms to keep users engaged through features that encourage and reward addictive behavior. As a result, American teenagers spend an average of five hours each day on social media. This is time they could spend socializing with their peers, studying, playing sports, or pursuing hobbies.
AB 1709 is a response to the real-world suffering that many kids are experiencing because of exploitive and addictive features on social media platforms. It ensures that social media platform designs are age-appropriate for kids. It also establishes an e-Safety Advisory Commission, an expert body that would research, advise, implement, and enforce internet safety law.
Social media companies are risking the health of our kids for their profit.
AB 1709 puts kids’ safety first.
Lowenthal Introduces Assembly Bill 1709
to Ensure Stronger Protections for Children Online
Q&A
- What does AB 1709 do?
- AB 1709 would set a state-wide minimum age requirement of 16 years of age to create or maintain a social media platform that uses addictive feeds. It would also create an e-Safety Advisory Commission under the Attorney General. The e-Safety Commission would be responsible for researching and advising on best practices, as well as implementing and enforcing California internet safety law.
- AB 1709 would set a state-wide minimum age requirement of 16 years of age to create or maintain a social media platform that uses addictive feeds. It would also create an e-Safety Advisory Commission under the Attorney General. The e-Safety Commission would be responsible for researching and advising on best practices, as well as implementing and enforcing California internet safety law.
- Will AB 1709 cut kids off from the internet?
- NO. AB 1709 won’t even cut kids off from all social media applications. AB 1709 only age-restricts platforms that use addictive design features. Kids will still be able to use the internet like they did before and will be able to use social media applications that use non-addictive user interfaces.
- NO. AB 1709 won’t even cut kids off from all social media applications. AB 1709 only age-restricts platforms that use addictive design features. Kids will still be able to use the internet like they did before and will be able to use social media applications that use non-addictive user interfaces.
- Will AB 1709 cut kids off from social media?
- NO. Kids will still be able to access social media platforms that don’t use addictive platform designs. Social media companies can also change their interfaces to become compliant, encouraging safer platform designs and expanded access.
- NO. Kids will still be able to access social media platforms that don’t use addictive platform designs. Social media companies can also change their interfaces to become compliant, encouraging safer platform designs and expanded access.
- How does AB 1709 define addictive platforms?
- “Addictive features” are defined in the bill as psychologically exploitative interfaces that are intended to maximize engagement and encourage compulsive use. These design features include, but are not limited to, notifications, addictive feeds, endless scrolls, autoplay, and any feature that learns from user information or behavior to prolong engagement.
- “Addictive features” are defined in the bill as psychologically exploitative interfaces that are intended to maximize engagement and encourage compulsive use. These design features include, but are not limited to, notifications, addictive feeds, endless scrolls, autoplay, and any feature that learns from user information or behavior to prolong engagement.
- What does the e-Safety Advisory Commission do?
- The e-Safety Advisory Commission would evaluate age assurance technologies, monitor compliance, assess privacy impacts, gather feedback from parents and youth, study harmful design practices, and recommend future reforms.
- The e-Safety Advisory Commission would evaluate age assurance technologies, monitor compliance, assess privacy impacts, gather feedback from parents and youth, study harmful design practices, and recommend future reforms.
- Who supports my bill?
- CA Commission on the Status of Women & Girls
- Common Sense Media
- Organization for Social Media Safety Anxious Generation
- California Medical Association
- CITED
- Mothers Against Media Addiction
- Transparency Coalition