REGULATORY WATCH BRIEF Low 30 📝 Proposed Bill announced

California SB 976 restricts teen social media feed recommendations, challenged as unconstitutional

The law could reshape how platforms deliver content to minors, raising significant free speech and parental consent issues.

ImpactLow 30
Type📝 Proposed Bill
Statusannounced not law
JurisdictionUS-CA
BillSB 976

What happened

California enacted SB 976, which requires parental permission before teens can view recommended content from other users on social media. The law is being challenged in Meta v. Bonta on First Amendment grounds. EFF argues the law also burdens teens' ability to access and share speech online.

Why it matters for trust and compliance

  • Its status is announced. It is not law yet. Track it, but do not treat it as an obligation.
  • The law could reshape how platforms deliver content to minors, raising significant free speech and parental consent issues.

Who is affected

technology platform Meta Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Center for Democracy & Technology Wikimedia Foundation

Recommended actions

  1. Review consent, cookie and tracking practices against the requirement.
  2. Review age assurance and protections for minors' data.