America’s states are attempting to establish regulations for the internet.
The internet has undergone changes since the days of America Online’s slow online connection accompanied by discordant tones. However, federal and state lawmakers have struggled to keep up with policies to govern it. In September 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s new online safety law for children, aiming to address this issue. Child safety advocates hoped that this law would be a significant step towards internet regulation. Nevertheless, a federal judge has intervened, leading to a clash between child safety and freedom of speech.
NetChoice, a trade organization that includes Google and Meta as members, filed a lawsuit against California on First Amendment grounds. On September 18th, district court judge Beth Labson Freeman temporarily blocked the law. Instead of leading the way, California’s law seems to serve as a warning to other states that may have similar intentions.
The law, known as the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, was scheduled to take effect in July 2024. It would require online platforms to treat children with greater sensitivity. Buffy Wicks, a California legislator and co-author of the law, states that just like car seats, cots, and pajamas have special regulations for children, online products accessed by kids should have similar consumer protection regulations.
2023-09-21 07:51:46
Post from www.economist.com
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