Assembly passes bill setting 16 as minimum age for covered social platforms, creates eSafety commission

The California State Assembly on May 7 passed AB 17‑09, a bipartisan bill that sets a minimum age of 16 for use of covered social media platforms that rely on “addictive features” and establishes an eSafety Commission to oversee implementation.

Assemblymember Lowenthal, the bill’s author, told colleagues the measure targets product design rather than protected speech. “This bill will create a minimum age of 16 for users to create or maintain accounts only on the social media platforms that rely on using addictive features harmful to children,” he said on the floor, and described the eSafety Commission as a body to “evaluate emerging harms, assess age assurance technologies, and help policy makers keep pace with rapidly changing environments online.”

Supporters framed the bill as a child‑safety measure grounded in research. Assemblymember Wicks said the legislation would help reduce harms she and others attribute to prolonged social media use among teens: “Teens spending 3 or more hours a day on social media face double the risk of depression and anxiety,” she told the Assembly. Multiple members emphasized studies linking screen time to sleep loss, declines in academic performance and increases in mental‑health incidents.

Lawmakers repeatedly stressed the bill’s narrow focus on “design mechanics” such as autoplay, infinite scroll and algorithmic feeds rather than on content. Assemblymember Lowenthal said amendments limit the measure to addictive mechanics, call for reasonable age‑assurance measures that protect privacy, and prohibit use of verification data for advertising or profiling. He said the proposal also allows the state to preserve online spaces that are safe and non‑addictive.

Several members urged caution about unintended consequences. Representatives of vulnerable groups — including members who said social platforms can be lifelines for LGBTQ youth or children in rural areas — asked the author to ensure the measure preserves access where it is essential. Assemblymember Gallagher, while supporting the bill, urged ongoing work with stakeholders to avoid excluding connectivity for isolated youth. The author and supporters repeatedly pledged to refine language in later stages and to create exceptions or safeguards where necessary.

The measure also directs the newly created eSafety Commission to make adjustments as technology evolves and to advise the Legislature on age‑assurance technology, equity in implementation and other technical issues. After extended debate and floor amendments, the Assembly recorded the final vote in favor of AB 17‑09: Aye 72, No 0. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

What’s next: If the Senate takes up the bill, supporters and critics said they expect additional amendments — especially on practical age‑verification methods, protections for marginalized youth and assurances against cost shifts that could leave some communities without safe access. The Assembly-level vote was the most significant action to date on the measure.

Abbreviations and bill text: The article reports positions and direct floor remarks as spoken in the Assembly on May 7. The text of AB 17‑09 and any subsequent amendments will contain the precise legal definitions of “covered platforms,” “addictive features,” the scope of the eSafety Commission’s authority, and any carveouts or enforcement mechanisms.