Meta, Google, and TikTok File Lawsuits to Block California Teen Social Media Law
Major technology companies Meta, Google, and TikTok have filed separate lawsuits against California Attorney General Rob Bonta in an effort to block a state law aimed at restricting social media features deemed addictive for users under 16 years of age.
The legislation, known as AB 1709, was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September and is scheduled to go into effect at the start of the new year. If implemented, the measure would prohibit social media platforms from offering personalized feeds and autoplay videos to users under the age of 16. It also requires platforms to delete the accounts of users in that age group if those features are not turned off. Non-compliant platforms face potential fines of up to $50,000 per affected minor user.
Legal Challenges and First Amendment Claims
In its legal challenge, Meta argues that AB 1709 violates the First Amendment by overriding the company's editorial discretion regarding content display. The tech giant also asserts that Section 230 preempts the state law.
Meta stated in its lawsuit that it currently organizes feeds to include personalized recommendations and automatically playing media. According to the filing, the statute would make it unlawful to disseminate speech to minors entirely and force the platform to delete minor users' accounts unless it alters these operational practices. TikTok and Google raised similar legal arguments in their respective court filings.
A spokesperson for TikTok characterized AB 1709 as an unconstitutional restriction on free expression that impacts standard content curation practices, noting that bookstores, television networks, and streaming services also curate content based on user preferences.
Privacy Concerns and Impact on Digital Activism
The California statute is part of a broader international movement of legislation seeking to limit adolescent social media use to address youth mental health outcomes. However, digital safety experts have expressed concern that such laws can undermine user privacy by mandating age verification mechanisms that collect extra personal data from all platform users, including adults.
Rindala Alajaji, Associate Director of State Affairs at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), stated during a press briefing that AB 1709 compels platforms to collect additional information from every user, impacting overall online privacy and anonymity. Alajaji noted that online surveillance by social media platforms is harmful, adding that the bill requires more data collection rather than offering protection.
Alajaji further highlighted that social media access has enabled youth activism, referencing movements led by Parkland shooting survivors and climate activist Greta Thunberg. The EFF representative stated that AB 1709 functions as a ban for youth under 16, cutting young people off from information and experiences.
Global Context and Platform Parental Tools
The legal action comes as tech companies contend with various regulatory measures globally. Australia enacted a total ban on social media for users under 16 in December 2025. In France, a similar law was struck down by the country's top court over concerns regarding free expression violations. Meta also previously agreed to pay a settlement of up to $18 billion to resolve children's safety claims brought by 29 U.S. states.
The tech companies also argue that AB 1709 interferes with parental decision-making regarding digital safety tools. A Google spokesperson stated that YouTube currently turns off autoplay by default for minors and allows parents to disable access to Shorts. The spokesperson noted that Google provides tools to put parents in control, arguing that broad legislation breaks existing systems built to direct children to age-appropriate video content.
In response to the legal challenges, a representative for Attorney General Bonta stated that the office is reviewing the court filings and remains committed to defending California's laws designed to protect children online.
