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Assembly committee advances bill to hold social platforms financially liable for harms to children
Summary
Assemblymember Gonzales introduced AB 2 to create enhanced financial penalties for large social media companies when negligence causing harm to children is proven in court; the Judiciary Committee advanced the measure after supporters and tech-industry opponents debated First Amendment and preemption concerns.
Assemblymember Gonzales presented AB 2 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee as a measure to “hold social media platforms accountable for the harm they cause children and teenagers,” saying the bill would impose enhanced financial penalties when a court finds negligence. Gonzales said the measure builds on existing negligence law and ‘‘applies appropriate financial incentives and accountability’’ to platforms whose design and algorithms drive young people to harmful content.
Nicole Rocha of Common Sense Media told the committee that platforms already face negligence claims under California civil law and that AB 2…
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