Governor Newsom Enhances California’s Online Child Protection with New Legislation

California has taken a significant step to bolster online protection for children by enacting new legislation aimed at navigating the challenges presented by modern technology. These laws build upon previous efforts to safeguard young users from potential risks connected to digital interactions.

New Legislations Focused on Child Protection

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed multiple bills that introduce various measures designed to create safer online environments for minors. Here are the key components of this legislative package:

• AI Chatbot Safeguards: Requirements for “companion chatbots” to develop protocols for addressing suicidal ideation. These platforms must disclose the artificial nature of interactions.
• Age Verification: Mandatory age checks for operating systems and app store providers to restrict children’s access to inappropriate content.
• Social Media Warning Labels: Labels to inform young users about the risks of prolonged social media usage.
• Stricter Penalties for Deepfake Pornography: Victims can now seek civil damages up to $250,000 against parties that facilitate nonconsensual explicit material.
• Cyberbullying Policy Guidance: A requirement for the California Department of Education to adopt a model policy addressing cyberbullying by June 1, 2026.
• AI Accountability: Ensures that developers of artificial intelligence cannot evade liability by claiming autonomous functioning of the technology.

List of Signed Bills

The full list of legislative acts dedicated to enhancing children’s online safety includes:

• AB 56: Sponsored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Social media warning labels.
• AB 316: Sponsored by Assemblymember Maggy Krell (D-Sacramento) – Defenses related to artificial intelligence.
• AB 489: Sponsored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) – Misleading terms in health care professions linked to AI.
• AB 566: Sponsored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Modifications to the California Consumer Privacy Act.
• AB 621: Sponsored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Regulations on deepfake pornography.
• AB 656: Sponsored by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita) – Account cancellation provisions.
• AB 772: Sponsored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Cyberbullying policy requirements.
• AB 853: Sponsored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – California AI Transparency Act.
• AB 979: Sponsored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Cybersecurity integration center provisions.
• AB 1043: Sponsored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Age verification measures for online services.
• SB 50: Sponsored by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) – Device protection requests for connected devices.
• SB 53: Sponsored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Regulations for large AI developers.
• SB 243: Sponsored by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Companion chatbot regulations.
• SB 361: Sponsored by Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) – Data broker regulations for data collection and deletion.
• SB 446: Sponsored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) – Customer notification for data breaches.
• SB 524: Sponsored by Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) – Law enforcement agency protocols related to AI.

This comprehensive legislative approach highlights California’s commitment to harnessing technology responsibly while prioritizing child safety. By implementing these regulations, the state aims to set a benchmark for other regions to follow in the pursuit of safer online experiences for children.