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California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced strong support for establishing age restrictions on social media platforms for users under 16, calling the measure “long overdue” during a Bay Area news conference on public transportation Thursday.
“It’s long overdue that we’re having the debate we’re having now in the legislature, and I’m very grateful the legislature is taking this very seriously,” Newsom said, referencing a bipartisan bill recently introduced by seven California State Assembly members that would establish minimum age requirements for social media accounts.
Newsom drew from personal experience as a father to illustrate his concerns, describing a recent incident at his daughter’s birthday party where he observed seven children engrossed in their phones rather than interacting with each other. “I literally stopped everybody because there were seven of them together on their cellphone at the birthday party, not one of them talking to each other,” he recounted.
The California bill, which has yet to specify a precise cutoff age, builds upon existing regulations that require social media platforms to post terms of service, disclose threat reporting procedures, and maintain law enforcement contact processes.
Newsom later confirmed to Politico that he supports restricting social media access for individuals under 16, with his spokesperson Tara Gallegos noting that the governor favors “age-gating rules” similar to those implemented in Australia. The Australian model has gained international attention for its approach to protecting minors online.
The governor emphasized that his stance is informed by international consultations, mentioning recent discussions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Australia’s Vice Premier about similar initiatives in their countries. “It’s something that I’m very grateful that we are debating and pursuing at the state level,” Newsom said.
On Saturday, Newsom reinforced his position with a pointed social media post: “Bad news for child predators: they’ll soon lose access to kids on the platforms they use to groom them.” The comment also included criticism directed at President Donald Trump, though specifics of that critique were not elaborated upon.
The push for age restrictions on social media comes amid growing concerns about the impact of these platforms on youth mental health. Recent polls suggest substantial public support for such measures, with a Fox News poll indicating nearly two-thirds of American voters back social media bans for children under 16.
California’s initiative parallels similar movements internationally. France recently approved legislation banning social media for children under 15, with lawmakers framing it as a “battle for free minds.” Other nations, including Spain and Australia, are exploring comparable protections.
Newsom framed the issue as one that transcends politics, appealing to his role as a parent. “As a parent, we need help,” he stated. “We have a generation that’s never been more anxious, less free, more stressed and we have to address this issue.”
The governor’s remarks signal California’s potential to lead nationwide efforts to regulate youth access to social media, reflecting mounting evidence of correlations between platform usage and adolescent mental health issues. With bipartisan support emerging for such measures at both state and federal levels, the debate over how best to protect minors in digital spaces continues to gain momentum across the country.
Neither Newsom’s office nor the White House immediately responded to requests for additional comment on the proposed legislation.
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7 Comments
This is a timely and important discussion. While social media has benefits, the negative effects on young users are well-documented. I support efforts to protect minors, but the details of the legislation will be crucial. Balancing safety and individual liberty is no easy task.
Governor Newsom raises a valid concern, but age restrictions alone may not be the full solution. Empowering parents, improving platform design, and fostering digital literacy all seem important parts of a comprehensive approach. I’m curious to see how this legislation evolves.
As a parent myself, I can understand Newsom’s perspective. Social media’s impacts on youth mental health and development are worrying. However, outright age restrictions may be difficult to enforce and could raise other concerns. I’d be interested to see the proposed bill’s specifics.
Valid point. Any age limits would need to be practical and enforceable to be effective. Comprehensive solutions addressing both parental guidance and platform design may be more impactful.
Interesting proposal by Governor Newsom. Protecting young people’s wellbeing on social media is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. I’m curious to see the details of the age restriction bill and how it aims to balance user privacy, parental responsibilities, and platform accountability.
I agree, this is a nuanced topic that will require careful legislation to get right. Striking the right balance between protection and individual freedoms is key.
As someone with a background in the mining and commodities space, I’m not directly impacted by this news. However, I think the broader issue of social media’s societal impact is relevant across industries. Any regulations should be carefully considered to ensure they are practical and effective.