CA Legislator Calls For Warning Labels On Social Media

ORINDA, CA — Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda ) has introduced legislation aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis among adolescents caused by excessive social media use.

Sponsored by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assembly Bill 56 would require social media platforms to prominently display black box warning labels, consistent with recent calls to action by the U.S. Surgeon General.

"Our children’s mental health is too high a price to pay for the engagement-driven practices of social media companies," Bauer-Kahan said. "AB 56 ensures that families are armed with clear, actionable information to understand these dangers and make decisions that prioritize their children’s well-being."

According to Bauer-Kahan, an increasing volume of research highlights the risks associated with social media use among young people, including heightened rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Currently, 95 percent of teens report using at least one social media platform, with over one-third saying they use it almost constantly. Studies have shown this excessive usage correlates with increased rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and disrupted sleep patterns, Bauer-Kahan said.

AB 56 calls for social media platforms to post warning labels to all users. The warnings would appear upon a user's first log-in and be shown at least once weekly for a minimum of 90 seconds. Bauer-Kahan said the labels are designed to be equitable and effective, ensuring that public health information consistently reaches users.

With the legislation, California leads the way in addressing the youth mental health crisis and holding social media platforms accountable for their impact on public health.

"Social media companies have demonstrated an unwillingness to tackle the mental health crisis, instead digging in deeper into harnessing addictive features and harmful content for the sake of profits," Attorney General Bonta said. "It is our responsibility to make sure consumers have access to information that may affect their health, so they can make the best choices for themselves and their families. Social media warning labels are an equitable and transparent way to communicate the risks that social media engagement poses to young users. Warning labels alone are not a panacea, they are another tool in the toolbox to address the growing mental health crisis and protect future generations of children."

In addition to Bonta, another key advocate for AB 56 is Common Sense Media. The nonprofit organization provides parents with recommendations and ratings on movies, TV, books and other forms of media and funds research on the role of media in the lives of children.

"When it comes to protecting kids from the risks of social media, California has always been a leader, and that continues today with this legislative proposal to make sure that people who use social media will be warned about its negative effects," said James Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media. "Just like we needed seat belts in cars and warning labels for alcohol, we now need digital safety standards for social media platforms. Common Sense Media applauds Attorney General Bonta and Assemblywoman Bauer-Kahan for their leadership, and we look forward to working together to pass this important bill."