Today, California State Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan unveiled legislation requiring online platforms to display warning labels that question the safety of social media for teens.

“Slapping a warning label on social media is like a broken fire alarm going off with no evidence of smoke. It ignores the reality that most teens view social media as an important outlet for social connection,” said Todd O’Boyle, Vice President of Technology Policy at Chamber of Progress. “Forcing this kind of label despite a lack of scientific proof will run into the same First Amendment buzzsaw that has doomed previous California kids’ bills. If lawmakers are really serious about protecting young people online, they would increase law enforcement funding to crack down on child predators.”

Pew Research Center found in a 2022 study that majorities of teens say social media provides them with a space for connection, creativity, and support. Conversely, recent research findings have repeatedly found that social media is not a significant contributor to adolescent mental health symptoms.

In June, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published an op-ed in the New York Times urging Congress to pass warning label requirements for social media platforms. Colorado passed legislation in March requiring social media platforms to display a pop-up warning notification to minors who spend more than an hour on a social media platform. Chamber of Progress urged Colorado lawmakers to oppose that legislation.

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.