AB-963/SB-936: Social Media Age Verification

This bill imposes age verification, parental consent, and content restrictions on large social media platforms for users under 18, effectively treating a 17-year-old much closer to a 7-year-old than to an adult. Platforms must determine whether an account holder is a minor (which can involve inaccurate age estimation methods), require parental consent for access, and apply heightened default privacy settings based on that determination.

The bill assumes parental oversight is always appropriate or safe, despite wide variation in family circumstances and autonomy needs as minors approach adulthood. Enforcement is carried out through state agencies, civil penalties, and private rights of action.