Newsom UNLEASHES Social Media Ban

California Governor Gavin Newsom is championing legislation to ban social media for teens under 16, citing an alarming mental health crisis while Big Tech prepares legal warfare to protect their addictive platforms.

Story Highlights

Newsom publicly supports Assembly Bill 1709 to restrict social media access for minors under 16
Tech giants Google, TikTok, and Meta already suing California over similar regulations
U.S. Surgeon General warned social media poses “profound risk of harm” to teens
Multiple states and countries implementing age restrictions as youth mental health deteriorates

Newsom Breaks Tradition With Early Legislative Support

Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday, February 19, 2026, his support for Assembly Bill 1709, legislation requiring minimum age restrictions for social media accounts. The move represents a notable departure from Newsom’s typical reluctance to weigh in on pending legislation before it reaches his desk. Long Beach Democrat Josh Lowenthal authored the bipartisan bill, which proposes age 16 as the cutoff. Newsom’s public endorsement could significantly accelerate the bill’s progress through the California legislature and influence similar efforts nationwide.

Mental Health Crisis Drives Parental Concerns

Newsom framed his support around alarming generational mental health trends affecting American youth. He stated, “As a parent, we need help. We have a generation that’s never been more anxious, less free, more stressed, and we have to address this issue.” His position aligns with a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General report warning that social media poses profound risks to teenagers. The report found nearly half of young people say social media negatively affects body image, while approximately one in two experienced cyberbullying or online harassment. These findings validate what many conservative parents have witnessed: technology companies prioritizing profits over children’s wellbeing.

International Movement Gains Momentum

Newsom’s position follows international discussions at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and Munich Security Conference, where he consulted with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez about age restrictions. Australia enacted a complete social media ban for users under 16 in 2025, citing addiction and mental health research. Spain, Malaysia, France, Denmark, and Italy are exploring similar restrictions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signaled support for limitations on users under 14. This global movement reflects growing recognition that unchecked social media access damages developing minds, though parents should question why government intervention is necessary rather than empowering families directly.

Big Tech Prepares Legal Battle

Google, TikTok, and Meta are currently suing to block a 2024 California law requiring parental consent before minors view personalized content feeds, claiming free speech violations. NetChoice, a tech industry lobbying group, has signaled potential legal challenges to California social media laws passed in 2025 requiring health warning labels and age verification by device makers. Newsom acknowledged constitutional complexity in implementation, noting Spain and Australia continue working through enforcement challenges. The tech giants’ desperate legal maneuvering reveals their business model’s dependence on addicting young users. Without federal framework, industry experts worry companies will exploit compliance loopholes, demonstrating why stronger parental rights and local control matter more than centralized regulations.

State-Level Momentum Builds Nationwide

Florida passed legislation in 2024 barring children under 14 from social media accounts, while Utah’s restrictions face temporary court blocks. Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama enacted laws requiring age verification and parental consent for app purchases. California lawmakers also introduced separate legislation creating an independent “eSafety Commission” to enforce digital platform regulations, modeled on Australia’s agency. Large states like California implementing age restrictions could force tech platforms to change policies nationwide. However, conservatives should remain skeptical of new government bureaucracies and enforcement mechanisms that may expand state power while failing to address root problems of parental authority erosion and corporate manipulation of children.