A new California privacy law might fundamentally change how kids and teens use the internet — not only in California but also across the country.
The first-in-the-nation legislation, which goes into effect in 2024, imposes sweeping restrictions on internet companies that serve minors, requiring that they design their platforms with children’s “well-being” in mind and barring eight common data-collection practices.
Supporters of the bipartisan measure — including a range of privacy, consumer and children’s advocates — have compared it to long-standing consumer safety protections, such as seat belts and nutrition labels. New York, Washington and West Virginia also have weighed child privacy bills, and Congress considered four such bills last year. While the Washington and West Virginia bills died in committee, the New York, Pennsylvania and federal bills remain under consideration.
