What just happened? Google, Meta, and TikTok are taking California to court over its latest attempt to keep children from getting hooked on social media. The companies have filed separate lawsuits challenging a law that restricts addictive features for children under-16, arguing that the state is interfering with free speech and parents' authority.

The complaints, filed Wednesday, target Assembly Bill 1709. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the measure on September 10 as part of a broader package covering social media and AI chatbot safety. It's scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The restrictions cover personalized feeds, endless scrolling, and autoplay videos, all defined as "psychologically exploitative features." Platforms must also take reasonable steps to verify users' ages. The aim is to stop companies from pushing features designed to keep children scrolling long after they intended to put their phones down, which sounds like a good thing.

According to Reuters, the companies argue that California is dictating how they present content and replacing parents' judgment with its own. Their challenges invoke the First Amendment and the often-used Section 230, which broadly protects platforms from liability for user-generated content.

Meta says the state cannot override its editorial decisions about organizing and displaying posts. Google argues that the restrictions could undermine systems that help children find appropriate videos, while TikTok says they interfere with free expression and parental choice.

Google also says parents are the ones who should decide what is appropriate for their families, pointing to its existing parental controls and protections.

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