Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976)
Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) in California: challenged, effective January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027. Applies to Social media companies offering addictive feeds to known minors. Age range: Under 18. Parental consent required before providing a
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Category | Social Media |
| Status | challenged |
| Effective date | January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027 |
| Age range | Under 18 |
| Applies to | Social media companies offering addictive feeds to known minors |
Key requirements
- Parental consent required before providing addictive (algorithmically personalized) feeds to minors
- Private-mode default settings for minors
- Restricts notifications during school hours and late-night hours
- Age verification / assurance provisions effective January 1, 2027
Notes
Ninth Circuit (November 6, 2025) upheld the parental-consent requirement for addictive feeds but struck the restriction on displaying engagement counts (likes/comments); held the age-verification challenge unripe. As-applied challenges continue in district court. Legislature passed AB 1709 (August 2026) to bar 'addictive features' for users under 16; awaiting Governor Newsom.
Frequently asked
What does Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) require?
Parental consent required before providing addictive (algorithmically personalized) feeds to minors Private-mode default settings for minors Restricts notifications during school hours and late-night hours Age verification / assurance provisions effective January 1, 2027
Who must comply with Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) in California?
Social media companies offering addictive feeds to known minors
When does Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) take effect and what is its status?
Effective January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027. Current status: challenged. Ninth Circuit (November 6, 2025) upheld the parental-consent requirement for addictive feeds but struck the restriction on displaying engagement counts (likes/comments); held the age-verification challenge unripe. As-applied challenges continue in district court. Legislature passed AB 1709 (August 2026) to bar 'addictive features' for users under 16; awaiting Governor Newsom.
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) | California | Consumer Privacy | active | September 2025 |
| California Mental Health Warnings (AB 56) | California | Consumer Privacy | pending | January 1, 2027 |
| Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511) | Illinois | Social Media | pending | 2028 |
| Kids Over Clicks — Youth Online Safety Package (SB 757-760) | Michigan | Social Media | pending | TBD (pending House) |
| Nevada Youth Online Safety Act (SB 63) | Nevada | Social Media | active | January 1, 2026 |
| Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901) | Arkansas | Social Media | blocked | N/A (enjoined) |
| California Addictive Features Ban for Under-16s (AB 1709) | California | Social Media | pending | TBD (awaiting Governor) |
| Healthier Social Media Use by Youth Act (HB 24-1136) | Colorado | Social Media | blocked | N/A (enjoined) |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: COPPA policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: Privacy Program Bundle (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: 2026 US Privacy Program Workbook (ciso.diy)