California’s governor has signed laws aimed at protecting children from the risks of social media and AI chatbots, adding the state to the growing list of governments acting on youth safety.

The new laws target features that keep young users hooked and the dangers posed by AI companions that can hold long, personal conversations with minors. Lawmakers have argued that design choices, not just content, shape how children behave online.

The move lands weeks after Meta reached a settlement worth up to 16.68 billion dollars with 29 United States states over claims its platforms were built to addict children. Meta denied wrongdoing but agreed to changes for users under 18.

Critics of regulation say laws can be hard to enforce across borders and platforms. Supporters argue that without rules, the burden falls entirely on parents.

The California laws will now be watched as a test case. If they survive legal challenge, other states and countries are likely to copy them.