Social media has revolutionized global communication, allowing people to share videos and images instantly. However, the platform’s darker sides—ranging from exploitation to addiction—have prompted California lawmakers to take action.
Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed several bills into law aimed at addressing the impacts of social media, particularly on minors.
Protections for Young Content Creators
Assembly Bill 1880 expands upon the Coogan Law, which historically protected the earnings of child performers. Under the new legislation, content creators under 18—defined as individuals who create, post, share, or interact with digital content on online platforms—must have at least 15% of their gross earnings deposited into a trust account.
“At the end of the day, if the kid is the one that’s making the money, they’re entitled to it,” said Landon Li, a supporter of the bill.
Similarly, Senate Bill 764 ensures that minors featured in monetized online content are entitled to a percentage of the earnings, which must also be placed in a trust account.
“It’s really nice to have that protection,” said Katherine Kazulina. “It’s good that it’s in a trust fund and not for kids to spend right away—they’re still too young.”
Regulating Social Media Use in Schools
Senate Bill 1283 grants school districts, county education boards, and charter schools the authority to limit or prohibit student use of social media on campus. The law is aimed at curbing distractions, online bullying, and phone addiction among students.
“Social media was great for publicizing events at my school and boosting participation,” said high school student Annie Brull. “But there’s also the downside of online bullying and people being addicted to their phones.”
California’s new laws highlight a growing focus on protecting young people from the unintended consequences of social media, while empowering schools to manage its presence in classrooms.
For more information about these and other laws going into effect in California, visit gov.ca.gov.
