California Governor backs social media age limits for teens under 16

California Governor Gavin Newsom signaled his support for state legislation that would restrict social media access for teenagers under 16, joining a growing wave of policymakers advocating stricter online protections for minors.

In a policy statement shared first with POLITICO, Newsom’s spokesperson, Tara Gallegos, said the Democratic governor favors age-gating rules similar to those Australia implemented last year, which bar teens under 16 from creating social media accounts. Newsom made the comments shortly after telling reporters that “we have to address this issue” of teenagers’ heavy social media use.

“We need help. I think it’s long overdue that we’re having the debate,” Newsom said during a press conference near San Francisco. “It is something that I’m very grateful that we are debating and pursuing at the state level.”

The governor’s remarks put him slightly ahead of a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who introduced legislation this month establishing a “minimum age requirement to open or maintain a social media account.” Lawmakers are still debating the exact cutoff, though Long Beach Democrat Josh Lowenthal, the bill’s lead author, has indicated he favors 16.

Newsom’s stance represents a notable departure from his usual reluctance to comment on pending legislation before it reaches his desk. By taking a position, he joins other high-profile leaders pressing for age limits on platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, which together attract billions of daily users. Advocates cite growing evidence that excessive use can be addictive and harmful to teens’ mental health.

When asked whether he supports a complete ban on social media for under-16s, as in Australia, Gallegos said the governor’s position remains fluid.

Newsom’s comments follow his recent overseas visits to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and the Munich Security Conference, where he reportedly discussed social media age limits with global leaders, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Several countries, including Spain, Malaysia, France, Denmark, Italy, and Germany, are considering similar restrictions for children ranging from 14 to 15 years old.

Despite growing political support, any legal restrictions in California are expected to face fierce opposition from major tech companies. Google, TikTok, and Meta are currently challenging a 2024 state law that requires parental consent for minors to view personalized content, arguing it infringes on free speech. Tech industry group NetChoice, which counts all three companies as members, has also threatened legal action against two other state laws regulating minors’ access to social media and devices.

The lawmakers behind California’s age-gating bill also proposed creating an independent “eSafety Commission” modeled on Australia’s agency to enforce digital platform regulations, though Newsom has not indicated whether he supports the initiative.

By Vafa Guliyeva