A California judge Tuesday handed down a mixed ruling blocking some provisions of the state's law "Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976)," but upheld the rest.
Specifically, the 34-page order from U.S. District Judge Edward Davila blocked parts of the bill that would have placed restrictions on nighttime push notifications from social media companies to minors (between midnight and 6 AM) and another compelling social media companies to disclose the number of minors using their platforms.
The ruling effectively allows most of the elements of the law to go into effect, including requirements that social media companies obtain parental consent for any users under the age of 18 and/or limiting those users to less algorithmically addictive content.
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“There is mounting evidence showing the devastating toll that social media addiction can have on our children's mental health and well-being. This addiction is not an accident; it is fed by algorithms deployed by Big Tech,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated in response to the ruling, adding: “California’s landmark law allows young people to intentionally develop the relationship they want with social media, rather than the relationship that is most profitable for companies using tricks and traps to glue young people’s eyes to their screens. We are pleased the court understands the importance of giving California families this choice.”
The ruling was in response to a motion by tech industry group NetChoice for an injunction that would have blocked all provisions of the bill.