California Bill Targets Infinite Scroll and Autoplay for Users Under 16
Unlike outright bans on underage social media use, AB 1709 targets the design features that drive compulsive engagement, and it leverages existing age verification systems rather than requiring new identity checks.
Key Facts
- California Assembly Bill 1709 (AB 1709) would restrict addictive features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds for users under 16.
- The bill was introduced in February 2026 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal and revised after privacy concerns to allow under-16 accounts without addictive features.
- Willful violations of AB 1709 carry civil penalties up to $50,000 per affected minor; negligent violations up to $25,000.
- The bill is scheduled for review by the California Senate Appropriations Committee.
- The European Commission is considering restricting social media for users under 13, with a bill expected after summer 2026.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
The California State Assembly is deliberating Assembly Bill 1709 (AB 1709), which would require social media platforms to restrict addictive features for users under 16. The bill targets design mechanisms such as infinite scroll, autoplay, algorithmic content recommendations, and notifications that extend usage time. Introduced in February 2026 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, the initial version prohibited under-16s from creating or maintaining accounts on platforms with addictive feeds. After privacy concerns and the risk of isolating young users, a revised version allows operators to offer accounts without addictive features to under-16s, enabling continued communication with friends and communities. Services that cannot comply must delete those accounts. The bill explicitly lists addictive feeds based on usage history, automatic video playback, and any features designated by the California Attorney General. Operators must use age verification systems to determine user age and take reasonable measures to prevent displaying addictive features to under-16s. Willful violations carry civil penalties up to $50,000 per affected minor, negligent violations up to $25,000. An e-Safety Advisory Commission would be established to investigate age verification technology and privacy. The bill is scheduled for review by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Separately, the European Commission is considering similar restrictions for users under 13, with a bill expected after summer 2026.
The revised version of AB 1709 emerged after lawmakers heard concerns that a blanket ban on under-16 accounts could cut off vulnerable youth from online support networks. The compromise allows platforms to keep under-16 users on the service as long as they are not exposed to addictive feeds, autoplay, or infinite scroll. The bill also gives the California Attorney General authority to designate additional addictive features through regulations. Penalties for violations are steep: up to $50,000 per minor for willful violations and $25,000 for negligent ones. To support enforcement, the bill would create an e-Safety Advisory Commission to study age verification technology and privacy implications. The bill is currently before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Meanwhile, the EU is moving in a similar direction. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a policy to restrict social media use for children under 13, based on a report by child psychiatrist Jörg Fegert and epidemiologist Maria Melchior. The EU has already determined that TikTok's infinite scroll violates the Digital Services Act. Australia's world-first under-16 social media ban has been in effect since December 2025, though reports indicate about 86% of under-16s continue using social media three months after the law took effect.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- GIGAZINE 子どもを守るためのSNS制限法制定をEUが検討中