09/02/2026
California lawmakers have approved legislation that could change how social-media platforms serve users under 16.
The bill, AB 1709, would restrict certain engagement-focused features for younger users, including personalized algorithmic feeds, autoplay, and infinite-scroll experiences. Rather than banning social media accounts outright, the proposal focuses on whether platforms can provide these features to minors. The bill now awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision.
For firms and legal marketers following social media addiction litigation, the legislation is worth monitoring for several reasons:
• It places product design, not only content moderation, at the center of the youth-safety debate.
• It may create another legal and regulatory benchmark for allegations involving compulsive use, algorithmic recommendations, and engagement-driven platform features.
• It reinforces the growing importance of claimant screening and case documentation in social-media-harm matters.
• It could influence how similar cases, campaigns, and consumer-protection claims develop across other states.
The policy landscape is evolving alongside major litigation. Meta’s proposed settlement with state attorneys general includes up to $17.1 billion in payments and platform changes intended to protect younger users, including time limits and non-algorithmic feed options.
For firms evaluating this category, a strong acquisition strategy should be paired with clear qualification standards, documented harm allegations, age verification, platform-use history, and consistent claimant follow-up.