California Signs Student-Backed Digital Literacy Bills While Rejecting Sweeping Bans

• California Governor Newsom signed a package of 12 bills focused on online child safety.
• EFF supports AB 2071 and AB 2298 for their focus on digital literacy and cybersecurity education, while opposing AB 1709 for its restrictive social media ban on minors.
• Education-based initiatives offer a constitutional alternative to censorship, empowering youth to navigate digital spaces safely.

Legislative Highlights

• AB 2071: Integrates digital wellness into middle and high school health curricula, covering tech habits, personal safety, and critical evaluation of media, including AI-generated content.
• AB 2298: Adds cybersecurity principles to school curricula, teaching students how to protect personal data and respond to online threats.

Promoting Digital Agency

• For young people, the internet is essential for civic engagement, education, self-expression, and community building.
• Research indicates that open conversations about digital literacy are more effective for youth protection than restrictive bans.
• The successful passage of AB 2071, which was co-authored by students, demonstrates that youth-led, educational approaches are both feasible and preferred over prohibitive legislation.