Meta, TikTok and Google Take California to Court Over Law Protecting Kids From Compulsive Social Media Use

Meta, TikTok and Google are suing California to stop enforcement of Assembly Bill 1709, a new law designed to protect children aged 15 and younger from becoming addicted to social media platforms. The law is due to take effect on January 1 and blocks platforms from using features it describes as "psychologically exploitative." The companies, whose brands include Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, filed three coordinated but separate lawsuits on Wednesday in California federal courts: Alphabet in San Jose, Meta in San Francisco and TikTok in Los Angeles.

The companies argue the law is unconstitutional because it violates free speech principles. They also say it ignores Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects platforms from liability for user content. They claim the law lets the state make decisions that should be left to parents. Google said parents are best placed to decide for their families, and warned that overly broad laws could break systems built to help children find age-appropriate videos.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he is committed to defending the state's laws to protect kids online. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill in September and reportedly said the state would not stand by while unregulated technology puts children at risk. The case is one to watch for any business that operates online platforms or markets to young people, as the outcome could shape how such rules are applied.