California Bans Social Media Features for Children Under 16

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Thursday that restricts social media platforms from exposing children under 16 to behaviorally addictive features. The law is part of 13 bills aimed at protecting minors from technology perceived as risky. It also bans toys with AI companion chatbots for four years. This legislation follows similar laws in other states and seeks to address concerns about the mental health impacts of social media use. For investors in tech companies like Google (GOOG), Meta Platforms (META), and Snap (SNAP), these regulations may influence business strategies and market operations.