CA AB3172

Social media platforms generating over $100 million annually are liable for civil penalties if they knowingly and willfully fail to exercise ordinary care toward children under 18 years old.

Civil penalties are the greater of $5,000 per violation (capped at $250,000) or three times the child's actual damages, available only to the Attorney General, district attorneys, or city attorneys.

At least 51% of recovered civil penalties must be deposited into the newly created Safe Social Media Fund for the Office of the Surgeon General to use on awareness campaigns about safe social media use.

These provisions apply only to causes of action arising from conduct occurring on or after January 1, 2026, and are cumulative to other legal remedies.

Any waiver of these requirements is void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy.