Disruption

Q&A: Josh Lowenthal, on his under-16 social media ban bill in Calif.

‘We’re committed to rectifying the perils of youth mental health.’

Austin Jenkins

12:30 PM, Feb 24, 2026

Democratic Assembly member Josh Lowenthal, of Long Beach, speaks on a bill before the Assembly at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, June 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California has enacted a series of laws in recent years aimed at keeping kids safer online. 

They include the 2023 Age-Appropriate Design Code, a 2024 law targeting addictive feeds, and a law last year requiring Apple and Google to collect user ages when they set up their devices. 

Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, a Democrat, tech entrepreneur and father to three daughters, now wants to go much further.

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