A significant development has occurred in California regarding the protection of children from the negative impacts of social media platforms.
The California Assembly Judiciary Committee has approved a new bill, bringing parents one step closer to holding these platforms accountable for the harm caused to their children
The new bill, sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), aims to address the immediate and real dangers that children face on social media platforms on a daily basis.
The motivation behind this new bill stems from a lawsuit filed by Benjamin and Jennifer Martin last July against Meta, the parent company of Instagram. The couple took legal action in a San Francisco court, attributing their daughter’s deteriorating mental health, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and suicide attempts, to Instagram’s “unreasonably dangerous” social media product. The lawsuit claims that Meta prioritized engagement over safety, resulting in addiction, exploitation, grooming, and self-harm.
Senate Bill 680, as the new bill is called, prohibits social media platforms from utilizing designs, algorithms, or features that they know or should know could harm children or lead to self-harm, eating disorders, or addiction. The new bill also mandates quarterly audits by platforms to ensure compliance, with necessary corrections to be made within 30 days.
In cases of violation, platforms can face penalties of up to $250,000 per offense, although the new bill applies exclusively to companies with revenues surpassing $100 million
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of this new bill in holding large social media companies accountable for their impact on children’s well-being and mental health. Jennifer Martin, one of the parents involved in the lawsuit against Meta, expressed the frustration felt by parents who often find themselves helpless in such situations.
Senator Skinner highlighted the addictive nature of social media platforms, particularly affecting children. SB 680 aims to equip the Attorney General’s Office and other public prosecutors with the necessary legal tools to address these harmful practices.
Notably, Instagram, which is intended for users aged 13 and above, has faced difficulties in verifying the ages of its users. SB 680 extends its coverage to children up to the age of 16.
The new bill will now proceed to the Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee for further consideration.
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