Gov. Gavin Newsom joined several state legislators and parents Thursday in Sausalito to sign 13 bills that are aimed at better protecting kids from artificial intelligence chatbots and addictive social media algorithms.
“I’m honored to be able to attach my signature to these bills today,” Newsom said. “We do so little to regulate the virtual space, which is so much more dangerous right now.”
The briefing was held just outside the Bay Area Discovery Museum, where Newsom reflected on how going to places like the museum was “normal” when he was a kid compared to the digitally centered childhoods that more children experience today.
“It’s all phone-based childhood now,” Newsom said. “Parents can’t compete — can’t compete with the engineering, can’t compete with the algorithms … You feel like you’re a lousy parent.”
Legislators highlighted the more notable bills set to become law, including one that will ban social media platforms from providing addictive features to children and another that sets up stronger safety guardrails for AI chatbots.
“I am sick and tired of having parents come to our committee begging for help, begging for lawmakers to take action,” said state Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland. Wicks sits on the Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, which assesses legislation related to technology and digital privacy.
Adam’s Law
Wicks helped author Senate Bill 1119, or Adam’s Law, which requires AI companies to beef up safety measures in AI chatbot platforms to try and protect children against self-harm.
It requires companies to conduct risk assessments for new AI chatbot models before release, include in-app crisis support features, implement an incident reporting mechanism, and set default settings that limit time use for children.
It also requires AI companies to take reasonable measures against allowing chatbots to output content related to self-harm, sexually explicit material, romantic roleplaying, and excessive praise or flattery.
“It’s landmark legislation,” said state Assemblymember and SB 1119 author Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-San Ramon. “The companies will have to test the chatbots. They will have to mitigate any harms. They will have to take reasonable measures to prevent the kind of isolation and harm that happened to Adam.”
The law is named after Adam Raine, a Southern California teenager whose parents say that an AI chatbot from OpenAI acted as a “suicide coach” and contributed to Raine’s death by suicide in 2025. The parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI that is ongoing.
Maria Raine, Adam’s mom, came to the briefing holding up a picture of her son.
“My son Adam ended his life in April of last year, after ChatGPT coached him to suicide over the course of months,” she said in a speech. “We are proud that Adam’s legacy lives on through Adam’s Law and fully endorse this legislation. It will save lives and prevent other serious harms and hopefully lead to other states to enact similar protections for our children.”
Assembly Bill 1709
Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 1709, a bill that would prevent social media platforms from offering “addictive features,” like algorithms that encourage endless scrolling, to users under 16. Platforms would be required to ensure the age of a user before allowing access if the platform has addictive features.
The bill authorizes the state attorney general to adopt mechanisms for enforcing the law.
“We’ve all watched anxiety and depression amongst children who did nothing wrong, except grow up in front of a screen that was engineered to never let them look away,” said AB 1709 author and state Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach. “We’re demanding that there is a duty of care across these platforms — a duty that puts the wellness of our children ahead of profits.”
Assembly Bill 2071 and others
Assembly Bill 2071, authored by state Assemblymember Josh Hoover, R-Folsom, was also signed into law. The bill mandates the state Department of Education to develop a plan for expanding “digital wellness” instruction in schools. Digital wellness involves teaching students how to use technology in ways that support mental health and overall well-being.
Other bills that were signed include one that makes social media platforms liable for damages if the platforms harm a child, and another that bans the sale of children’s toys that contain AI-powered companion chatbots.
“Together, all of these bills today will help ensure that California continues to lead the way when it comes to protecting kids online,” Hoover said.
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