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Stop California’s Social Media Ban (A.B. 1709)

The California Assembly is fast-tracking A.B. 1709, a bill that would ban everyone under 16 from social media. This over-reaching censorship scheme threatens your data privacy, ignores the First Amendment, and wastes taxpayer money during a massive budget deficit. And, by overriding the judgment of parents, the California Legislature is trying to take parenting away from families and replace it with an overbroad ban and a costly (and shady) new government commission. Tell your representatives to vote NO on A.B. 1709.

The California Legislature is overstepping (again) and fast-tracking a bill that attempts to solve complex social issues with a blunt-force ban. A.B. 1709 would mandate a total social media ban for those under 16, but the consequences will be felt by every Californian. Here’s why:

Mandatory Digital Tracking: To enforce this ban, the state will require platforms to verify the identity of every user. This means handing over biometric data or government IDs just to create an account or log in, creating massive security risks for all users, destroying online anonymity, and building a permanent surveillance infrastructure.
Violating Free Speech: The First Amendment protects the right to speak and access information, regardless of age. As we’ve said time and time again, there is no “kid exception” to the First Amendment. By cutting off lifelines for LGBTQ+ youth and marginalized communities, the California Legislature is violating the constitutional rights of our most vulnerable citizens.
Government Overreach: Simply put, the state is not your parent. AB 1709 overrides the rights of parents to decide what is best for their own children and, instead, puts the state in charge of young people's digital lives. Instead of supporting digital literacy or privacy-by-design, the state is opting for a one-size-fits-all ban that ignores the individual needs and maturity of young people.
Fiscally Reckless During a Budget Crisis: California is wrestling with a massive $18 billion budget deficit. Instead of fixing it, the Legislature wants to fund a brand-new "e-Safety Advisory Commission" to enforce age verification and waste millions in taxpayer dollars defending a law that is unconstitutional on its face. Lawmakers in support of AB 1709 have already admitted that it is likely to follow the same path as other recent "child safety" laws that were struck down or blocked in court for the same First Amendment and privacy reasons. With AB 1709, taxpayers are being asked to hand over a blank check for millions in legal fees to defend a law that is unconstitutional on its face.

We have been on the ground in the State Capitol fighting this bill in committee. Now, we need you to join the fight and remind them that Californians of all ages deserve better: The California Legislature is not my mom.

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THANKS COPYRIGHT POLICY PRIVACY POLICY CONTACT

Honorable members of the California Assembly

Subject: VOTE NO on A.B. 1709: Protect Privacy, the First Amendment, and Fiscal Responsibility

Message:

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to vote NO on A.B. 1709. This bill is a direct threat to the First Amendment, consumer privacy, and California’s fiscal health. A.B. 1709's requirement that all Californians must verify their ages would force everyone to choose between their privacy and their speech. Requiring biometric scans or government IDs to access social media creates a massive security risk for every user. The bill also relies on inaccurate and incomplete research regarding the impact of social media. The prevailing social science demonstrates that young people’s experiences online are far more nuanced than A.B. 1709 claims. For many marginalized youth, including LGBTQ+ teens, online spaces are essential for safety and support. A blanket ban ignores these nuances and puts vulnerable young people at risk. Additionally, I am deeply concerned by the fiscal recklessness of this proposal. At a time when California is facing an $18 billion budget deficit, creating a new e-Safety Advisory Commission is an irresponsible use of taxpayer funds. Additionally, the inevitable litigation costs required to defend this unconstitutional measure will drain resources that should be used elsewhere. Lastly, family decisions belong to families, not the state. A one-size-fits-all ban on social media for those under 16 ignores the diversity of maturity levels and the specific needs of California’s youth. Parents, not the state, should be the ones deciding when their children are ready to use social media. Please prioritize constitutional rights and fiscal responsibility by voting NO on AB 1709. Sincerely,

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Stop California’s Social Media Ban (A.B. 1709)

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Stop California’s Social Media Ban (A.B. 1709)

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