AB 1709 bans addictive features and feeds for under-16-year-olds. Governor Newsom proclaimed, “This is different than what Australia did. This is better than what they did.”

Design It For Us Co-Chair Nikki Iyer released the following statement:

“As young people who have urged leaders to protect our generation online, we thank Governor Newsom and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal for their leadership. They listened to young people and acted to secure real accountability that meaningfully goes after the root cause of this problem. In 2022, we worked with California lawmakers to pass the first Age-Appropriate Design Code in the country, and Big Tech has spent every year since trying to litigate it out of existence instead of working to mitigate risk and improve young people’s experiences. Today, California’s legislators answered by turning off the addictive features and feeds designed to exploit young people. As Big Tech continues to accelerate harm to young people through their exploitative business model, we are thankful that these laws will make a real difference for California’s young people and our future.”

Background: 

  • Design It For Us sent letters to the Senate Privacy, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees urging changes and advocating for a targeted ban on addictive features and feeds.
  • Design It For Us members attended a lobby day alongside partners to advocate for the passage of AB 1709.

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About Design It For Us

Design It For Us is a youth-led coalition leveraging grassroots power to disrupt Big Tech’s harmful business models. The coalition is led by a team of people between the ages of 18 and 26 and supported by an array of youth-led organizations, staff, and advisors fighting for a better online world for everyone.