California is considering a bill that would require social media platforms to include warning labels about the potential mental health risks to children and teens. Known as AB 56, the legislation has been introduced by Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The bill is aimed at addressing what they describe as a growing mental health crisis among younger generations.
If enacted, the proposed law would mandate social media platforms to display a “black box warning” to users of all ages. This warning would appear during a user’s first interaction with the platform, remaining visible for at least 90 seconds. Following the initial warning, the notification would resurface at least once a week for all users, ensuring the message remains prominent and recurrent.
The warning labels are inspired by similar practices in industries like tobacco, where clear disclaimers are used to alert consumers to potential health risks. This proposal follows a public advisory issued last year by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who recommended adding such labels to social media platforms. Dr. Murthy’s advisory cited studies linking social media use to mental health challenges in young people. The idea has garnered support from nearly 40 U.S. states, which voiced their agreement with the Surgeon General’s proposal in September.
Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the urgency of action against the harmful effects of social media. “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,” Bonta said in a press release. While he acknowledged that warning labels are not a comprehensive solution, he described them as an important step toward protecting children and addressing the broader mental health crisis.
The legislation comes amid increasing legal action against major social media companies. In October, Bonta and other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against TikTok. The lawsuit accuses the platform of exacerbating mental health problems in children through the use of addictive design features and the promotion of tools like beauty filters.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a similar lawsuit from dozens of states. The claims allege that Meta misled users about the safety of its platforms and failed to address the risks posed by their products, particularly to younger users. These legal battles highlight growing concerns about how social media companies prioritize engagement and profit over the well-being of their users, particularly minors.
While California’s AB 56 focuses on implementing warning labels, other states have introduced their own measures to regulate social media usage. For example, some states have passed laws aimed at restricting the use of social platforms by minors, including requirements for parental consent or limits on screen time.
State attorneys general are also urging Congress to take a more unified approach by passing the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This proposed federal legislation would impose stricter regulations on how social media companies design their platforms, with a particular emphasis on protecting young users from harmful content and excessive screen time.
The introduction of AB 56 reflects a growing recognition of the mental health challenges linked to social media use among children and teens. Research has increasingly pointed to correlations between heavy social media usage and issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, particularly among young users who are more vulnerable to the negative effects of online interactions and content.
Proponents of the bill argue that visible, recurring warnings could serve as a constant reminder of these risks, encouraging users to engage with platforms more mindfully. The black box warnings may also prompt parents and guardians to take a more active role in monitoring their children’s online activities.
However, critics of such measures caution that warning labels alone might not significantly alter user behavior. They argue that a more comprehensive approach is needed, including stricter regulations on how platforms design their algorithms, limit harmful content, and manage user privacy. Additionally, there are concerns about how such measures might be enforced, especially across global platforms with millions of users.
Conclusion
California’s proposed AB 56 bill represents a significant effort to address the mental health challenges associated with social media use among younger populations. By requiring platforms to display warning labels, the legislation seeks to raise awareness and encourage responsible usage without relying solely on self-regulation by the tech industry.
While the initiative is part of a broader movement to hold social media companies accountable, it also underscores the need for a multi-faceted strategy that includes legal action, federal legislation, and public education. As the mental health crisis among children and teens continues to gain attention, AB 56 could serve as a model for other states and prompt further conversations about the role of technology in society.