Google, Meta, and TikTok Sue California Over Law Banning Addictive Youth Feeds

Google, Meta, and TikTok are taking California to court over a new state law that restricts addictive social media features for children. The tech companies argue that the measure interferes with free speech and replaces parental judgment.

The lawsuits target Assembly Act 1709, a measure signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 10. The law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. It bans social media companies from offering personalized feeds, endless scrolling, and autoplay videos to users under 16, defining them as psychologically exploitative features. Platforms must also take reasonable steps to verify user ages.

The companies argue that the state is dictating how they present content and overriding parental authority. Their legal challenges invoke the First Amendment and Section 230, which protects platforms from liability for user-generated content. Meta stated that the state cannot override its editorial decisions about organizing and displaying posts. Google argued that the restrictions could undermine systems that help children find appropriate videos, while TikTok said the rules interfere with free expression and parental choice.

Google pointed to its existing parental controls and protections, arguing that parents should decide what is appropriate for their families. A Google spokesperson, José Castañeda, said overly broad laws break the systems built to help kids find high-quality, age-appropriate videos.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office stated that it was reviewing the lawsuits and would defend the state's child-protection laws. The Electronic Frontier Foundation also expressed concern, warning that age checks could force users to hand over more personal information and that removing recommendation tools could shut young people out of online communities.

The legal battle follows Meta's August agreement to pay up to $18 billion to settle states' child-safety claims, which involved changing how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram by adding default time limits and mandatory scrolling breaks. Other regions are introducing similar rules, including Australia, which banned under-16s from social media after passing a law in 2024. Reddit challenged Australia's ban in the High Court, arguing that it restricts political communication and that Reddit is not actually a social media site.

Summary

Major tech companies are pushing back against state regulations designed to limit youth exposure to addictive social media features. The outcome of these lawsuits could shape how governments regulate digital platforms and who decides what content minors can access online.