California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of laws described as the nation’s strongest child-safety protections against AI chatbots and social media. The laws require companion-chatbot operators to conduct risk assessments and implement crisis protocols to notify parents when minors show signs of emotional distress, with penalties of up to $1 million per child for violations. The legislation also bans addictive social-media features for users under 16 and expands protections against AI-generated child sexual exploitation material.
