New California Social Media Laws Target Addictive Features California has long been a hub for tech innovation, but in recent years, its lawmakers have begun to address one of the industry's most insidious byproducts: social media addiction.
On September 11, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law measures aimed at curbing the psychologically exploitative features that drive teens to spend hours scrolling through feeds and engaging with online content.
The legislation targets the tech industry's own contribution to the problem: algorithms designed to keep users hooked.