California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a series of new laws aimed at protecting children from potential risks linked to social media and AI chatbots. These laws include penalties of up to $1 million per child for large social media companies found negligent in harming children through their platforms. Additionally, the laws prohibit tech companies from offering addictive content feeds to users under 16 and require AI chatbot operators to conduct risk assessments before deploying their services. Newsom emphasized the importance of these measures during a ceremony at a children’s museum near San Francisco, where he was joined by his wife and state lawmakers. The new laws come in response to growing concerns about how technology can negatively affect children. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan pointed out that traditional children’s products are subject to strict safety standards, but similar protections have been lacking in the digital space. This push for regulation follows a recent settlement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which agreed to pay up to $18 billion and improve child safety measures after allegations that its platforms were designed to keep children engaged for extended periods. Newsom has been navigating a complex tech policy landscape during his nearly eight years as governor. Last year, he signed a law requiring social media platforms to disclose when users are interacting with AI chatbots. He also vetoed a bill that would have restricted AI chatbot access for minors under 18. In 2024, Newsom signed a law to limit the use of smartphones by students in schools, aiming to reduce distractions and promote focus on learning. In addition to child protection measures, Newsom signed laws to enhance oversight of AI companies. These laws, supported by the AI company Anthropic, require the state to create rules for independent organizations to evaluate the safety risks of AI models and establish a registry of financially independent AI auditors. Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, who helped draft the child protection law, noted that technological advancements are occurring much faster than regulatory efforts, highlighting the need for ongoing policy adjustments to keep pace with innovation.