Google, Meta, TikTok challenge California law on kids' social media use

Associated Press · Barbara Ortutay · 2026-11-05 21:38 UTC

Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits seeking to block a California law designed to protect children from the risks of social media, arguing that it violates their rights under the First Amendment. The law, which is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, prohibits tech companies from offering addictive feeds, endless scrolling and autoplayed videos to kids under 16. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law in September. The office of Attorney General Rob Bonta, the defendant in each of the lawsuits, said it was reviewing the filings and that it was committed to defending state laws to protect kids online.

Google, Meta and TikTok sue California over law designed to protect children from social media harms

Google, Meta and TikTok filed separate lawsuits seeking to block a California law designed to protect children from the risks of social media, arguing that it violates their First Amendment rights.

The law, which is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, prohibits tech companies from offering addictive feeds, endless scrolling and autoplayed videos to kids under 16. They must also implement “reasonable measures” to make sure those under 16 are not given access to the addictive features by verifying users’ ages. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law in September.

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