Disruption

Calif. bill would allow $1M in damages per child for social media harms

The tech industry said the proposal runs into First Amendment issues.
California Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D), chair of the Select Committee on Automation and Workforce Development. (Courtesy of Lowenthal’s Assembly office)

Social media companies could face damages of up to $1 million per child for online harms under legislation introduced in California and sponsored by a leading children’s media ratings nonprofit.

The bill announced Tuesday signals an aggressive new approach to holding social media companies accountable, as state lawmakers and tech companies wage an ongoing legislative and legal battle over regulation.

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