California is taking a bold step to address the growing mental health crisis among young people with a proposed new law that would require social media platforms to display mental health warnings.
Assembly Bill 56 (AB 56), introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Attorney General Rob Bonta, aims to inform users of the risks associated with excessive social media use, especially among teenagers. The legislation comes amid increasing concern about the impact of social media on mental health.
The legislative proposal
AB 56 proposes mandatory “black box warnings” to be displayed by social media platforms. These warnings would appear during a user’s first visit to a platform and at least once a week thereafter, highlighting potential mental health risks. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Attorney General Rob Bonta, focuses on platforms frequented by teenagers, aiming to educate them about the possible psychological effects of prolonged use.