EFF to Governor Newsom: Veto California's AB 1709

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is urging Governor Newsom to veto California's AB 1709, which would ban social media use for anyone under 16 by prohibiting recommendation algorithms and basic platform features. The EFF argues the bill is flawed because it relies on unsettled science about youth social media use, would cut young people off from essential information and supportive online communities, and would require invasive age-verification methods like government IDs or biometric scanning. The organization contends that research shows social media bans are ineffectual and can be harmful to young people's ability to develop their voices and engage in protected speech.