California Bans Addictive Social Media Features for Kids

Welcome to Parent Pixels, a parenting newsletter filled with practical advice, news, and resources to support you and your kids in the digital age. This week:

• It’s a big week of digital parenting news, so grab a beverage and settle in! 
• California Gov. Newsom signed the most comprehensive online child safety package in US history.
• The EU announced plans to ban social media for kids under 13, and the UK moved to legally require Apple and Google to block explicit images on children’s phones.
• Australia will let users opt out of social media algorithms.
• Apple’s iOS 27 introduced new parental control features — here’s what you’ll see when you update.

Digital parenting

🏛️ California Gov. Newsom signed extensive social media restrictions into law: The Golden State made history last week when Gov. Newsom signed a package of 13 digital safety bills into law. It’s the most comprehensive set of online child safety protections any US state has passed. Some highlights:

• Addictive features banned for users under 16: AB 1709 prohibits social media platforms from offering addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay videos to users under 16.
• AI chatbot protections: SB 1119 creates new regulations for chatbot use, including parental controls, notifications if children disable safety settings, and a crisis protocol for queries about suicide.
• Expanded definition of child exploitation: The package expands the scope of child sexual exploitation to include any digitally altered or AI-generated media, a direct response to the rise of nudify apps and AI-generated CSAM.
• Greater accountability: AB 2 raises the stakes for large social media platforms, making them liable for civil damages if they fail to exercise ordinary care or skill that results in injury to a child.

The bills come at a time when social media and AI companies are facing greater pressure to protect their youngest and most vulnerable users. California’s new laws, which go into effect in 2027, are the strictest in the nation — and may set a new standard for these companies in the US. OpenAI actually gave its last-minute support for SB 1119, but we’ll see if any companies appeal the new safeguards and delay implementation.

🇪🇺 The EU is moving toward a social media ban: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union is developing bloc-wide rules to restrict social media access for children. The proposal is no social media under 13, and no personal accounts under age 15. Children aged 13 and 14 could have “mini accounts” with parental supervision, limited features, and strict one-hour daily time limits. 

The proposed Kids Act would also reverse the burden of proof by requiring platforms to prove they are safe for minors, rather than requiring families to prove harm. It still needs approval from individual EU member states, so it could take years to become law, but the direction is clear.

“I am aware that many perceive the power of big tech as overwhelming and impossible to roll back. I disagree,” Von der Leyen said. “Europe has the power to act. It is us who decide the rules, not Big Tech.” 

Meanwhile, the UK (which isn’t part of the EU and passed a social media ban this year that takes effect in 2027), announced it will require Apple and Google to block explicit images on kids’ phones. The move follows earlier pressure on both companies to enable these protections by default. It’s a big message from Europe to big tech companies: it’s past time to set common-sense rules on kids’ phones and social media.

🇦🇺 Australia introduces algorithm opt-out for social media users: Australia was the first country to pass a social media ban for teens, and now, they’re coming for the algorithm. The Australian government announced new legislation that would give users the ability to opt out of algorithm-driven content entirely. Dubbed the “my feed, my way” plan, users who opt out would see content only from accounts they’ve actively chosen to follow and none of the recommendations and engagement-driven suggestions that have collectively turned our brains to algorithmic mush. Platforms would face fines of more than A$100m for non-compliance. 

New laws will also require platforms to protect minors from specific harmful content categories including eating disorder promotion, misogynistic content, and content that glorifies dangerous behavior.

📱 Meet the new parental controls on Apple’s iOS 27: There are some new child safety features waiting for you on the latest iOS update. Here’s what to check out:

• Ask to Browse: Similar to Ask to Buy for apps, this feature sends parents an approval request whenever their child tries to visit a new website in Safari. It’s on by default for kids under 13 and can be enabled for teens.
• Expanded Communication Safety: Apple’s Communication Safety feature already blurs nudity in images, but now, it also blurs violent and graphic content in both incoming and outgoing messages. It’s on by default.
• Better contact management: Parents can now control who their child can contact via Messages and FaceTime, and kids have to request permission to add new contacts.
• Redesigned Screen Time: The Screen Time feature, which famously doesn’t always work, is now significantly easy to use. The dashboard now features at-a-glance information about your child’s most-used apps and quick-access buttons to pause usage, allow unlimited use, or adjust time limits.
• Time Allowances by category: Rather than limiting specific apps, you can now set time limits by category — Games, Entertainment, and Social Media.

As always, these parental controls work best when they’re paired with BrightCanary, which shows you what your child is actually saying and searching (not just how long they spent on an app). Learn more about how BrightCanary works.

Tech talks

We’re several weeks into the school year, which means routines are settled, social dynamics are in full swing, and your child has probably been spending more time on their phone than you’d like. Now’s a good time to check in. Try these conversation starters:

1. “Is there anything about this school year that’s been harder than you expected?”
2. “Now that we’re a few weeks in, let’s talk about our phone rules. Is there anything that isn’t working for you or you think we should change?”
3. “Has anything happened online recently that stuck with you in a bad way, like something you saw or something someone said?”
4. “Are you or your friends using AI for homework? What do your teachers say about it?”
5. “If you could change one thing about how our family uses phones and screens, what would it be?”

What’s catching our eye

📱 Wirecutter published a comprehensive tech guide walking parents through managing screens at every age, from early childhood through teen years. One thing we’d add to their list: BrightCanary monitoring for extra peace of mind. 

💙 What do young people actually like about social media? Research from the UK government found that 82% of young people aged 10–21 say social media helps them feel more connected to others. Internet Matters shares the surprising benefits of social media (and why this topic is always more nuanced than we’d think).

🎗️ September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Learn more about what to do if your child receives a message promoting self-harm, and read about the latest data on how social media can impact teen mental health.

If your child experiences a mental health crisis, here are some resources for immediate support: 

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or chat 988 to reach this free helpline 24/7.
• Teen Line: Call, email, or text to reach trained peer support. The service is free and is available nationwide from 6pm–10pm PT. 

Related posts:

Meta Announces New Content Restrictions for Teens Teens See Mental Health as Their Top Challenge, Survey Says What Parents Should Know About Their Kids and Group Chats Online Safety Legislation Gains Supporters, But Future Is Still Uncertain