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Google, Meta and TikTok challenge California restrictions on social media for children
Google, Meta and TikTok have sued California to stop a new law restricting social media features for children under 16. The case pits the state’s efforts to reduce compulsive use against the companies’ claims that the law infringes free speech and parental choice.
Assembly Bill 1709 bans features such as personalised recommendations and autoplay for underage users, and requires accounts using them to be deleted. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on 10 September, it is due to take effect on 1 January 2027 unless a court intervenes. The companies also argue it conflicts with federal protections for online platforms; California’s attorney general says the state will defend the law.
In short
- Google, Meta and TikTok are challenging California’s child-safety law.
- The law targets autoplay and personalised recommendations for under-16s.
- It is due to take effect on 1 January 2027.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that personalised recommendations and autoplay can encourage children to spend more time on platforms than they intend, so limiting these features is a proportionate way to protect young people’s wellbeing. They see the law as a reasonable safeguard for under-16s while preserving parents’ ability to guide children’s online lives.
The case against
Opponents argue that restricting recommendation systems and autoplay based on age limits how platforms organise and present speech, raising serious free-speech concerns. They also contend that parents, rather than the state, should make choices about children’s online use, and that federal law may limit California’s authority to impose these requirements.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Google, Meta and TikTok sue California to block law protecting children from addiction risk”.