United States of America: California Department of Justice closes consultation on draft implementing rules for Protecting Youth from Social Media Addiction Act

On 23 October 2025, the California Department of Justice closes the consultation on its proposed rulemaking on the Protecting Youth from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976). The Act requires the Attorney General to issue implementing regulations, including provisions on age assurance and parental consent. It prohibits online platforms from offering addictive social media features or sending notifications to minors during nighttime or school hours without parental consent. The Act also obliges online platforms to determine whether a user is a minor and, if so, to apply the relevant safeguards. Finally, it clarifies that while platforms may refuse to provide services to minors, they may not reduce product quality, degrade service, or increase prices for users or parents exercising rights granted under the Act.