Online age restrictions get the Newsom bump
February 21, 2026
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call to restrict kids’ access to social media is lending new bipartisan momentum to an effort that has surged in red states and foreign capitals — but has so far largely languished in Washington.
By endorsing state legislation that would set age limits for teens on social media, the presumed 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful joins the ranks of Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, GOP governors like Florida’s Ron DeSantis and leaders in countries including Australia, Canada, France and Malaysia who have either enacted, proposed or considered similar restrictions. Standing up such a law on Silicon Valley’s home turf would be an especially potent response to growing concerns by parents about social media’s impact on children’s mental health.
