Sacramento, USA: On Monday, the state Assembly passed a bill that defines “addiction” as kids under 18 who are both harmed, either physically, mentally, emotionally, developmentally or materially, and who want to stop or reduce how much time they spend on social media, but they can’t because they are preoccupied or obsessed with it.
This means parents in California could soon sue social media companies for making children digital addict. Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and others will be constantly under the lens and the fines can go upto $25,000 per violation.
Various business groups think that social media companies will most likely cease their operations for children in California and avoid legal risk.
The proposal, though, isn't applicable to video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or companies that offer email and text messaging services. Social media giants who dominate the marketplace are perplexed, as the bill only applies to companies that earned at least $100 million in gross revenue in the past year.
Assembly member Jordan Cunningham, a Republican from San Luis Obispo County and author of the bill, said, “The era of unfettered social experimentation on children is over and we will protect kids.”
After Monday’s vote, the bill will now be presented to the state Senate and weeks of hearings and negotiations among lawmakers and advocates will follow.
If the law is enacted, it would take effect on 1st January 2023.
Source: The Associated Press
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