Meta, TikTok, and Google have each filed separate lawsuits against California challenging a new state law that tightens restrictions on social media use by minors. The tech giants argue the legislation, known as the Digital Age Assurance Act, violates their First Amendment rights and conflicts with federal law.
The bipartisan measure, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, prohibits social media platforms from providing an "addictive feed" to users under 16. It also requires companies to implement "reasonable measures" to prevent minors from accessing such features. The law was passed with broad support in California's legislature, reflecting growing concern over the impact of social media on young people's mental health.
In their legal filings, the companies contend that the law oversteps constitutional bounds. Meta's attorneys argue that the state is attempting to "appoint the State as the editor, curator and controller of online speech," and that it "override[s] Meta's editorial judgment about how to curate and display these billions of posts of third-party speech." TikTok's filing calls the bill a "blatantly unconstitutional restriction on free expression" that undermines the long-standing practice of curating content based on user preferences, a method used by bookstores, TV networks, and streaming services. Google's lawsuit urges the state to defer to parents, highlighting its own parental controls.
The companies also assert that the law conflicts with the federal Communications Decency Act of 1996, which shields online platforms from liability for third-party content. However, that law predates the rise of modern social media, and its applicability to state regulations is a key point of contention.
A spokesperson for California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the office is reviewing the filings and remains committed to "defending California's commonsense laws to protect kids online."
The legal challenge comes as the tech industry faces mounting scrutiny over the effects of social media on adolescents. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and Snap Inc., which owns Snapchat, recently settled lawsuits brought by teenagers alleging adverse mental health effects. Both companies are also defendants in a separate case in Los Angeles, where plaintiffs claim their platforms are deliberately designed to be addictive. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify in that trial in November.
The Los Angeles lawsuit targets the design of the platforms rather than specific content, a distinction that could shape how courts view similar claims. Several tech firms have already agreed to multimillion-dollar settlements in related cases. In late August, Meta agreed to pay Texas over $1 billion and implement new restrictions, including default daily time limits of two hours for users under 18, which can only be lifted by a parent, and blocked notifications during school hours.
This new litigation adds to the ongoing legal battles between tech companies and state regulators over online safety. California has been at the forefront of such efforts, with voters recently rejecting a measure on voter ID requirements, a separate policy issue. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for how states regulate digital platforms and protect minors online.
