Governor BANS Own Daughter From Social Media

Laptop, coffee cup, and phone on wooden table.

California Governor Gavin Newsom just endorsed legislation that would ban his own 12-year-old daughter from accessing social media platforms, citing a mental health crisis he claims is destroying an entire generation.

Story Snapshot

Newsom backs legislation banning social media for anyone under 16, following Australia’s model
Governor invokes his role as father to two daughters while dismissing First Amendment concerns
Assembly Bill 1709 would require age-gating rules for all social media account creation
Position comes after international trips where Newsom discussed age restrictions with world leaders

When Parents Turn to Government Solutions

Governor Gavin Newsom announced his support on February 19, 2026, for state legislation that would prohibit teens under 16 from creating social media accounts. His spokesperson, Tara Gallegos, confirmed the governor wants California to adopt age-gating rules mirroring Australia’s recent restrictions. Newsom’s position directly supports Assembly Bill 1709, introduced by Long Beach Democrat Josh Lowenthal alongside a bipartisan group of state lawmakers. The proposed legislation targets a minimum age requirement, with supporters leaning toward 16 as the cutoff point.

The Anxious Generation Argument

Newsom framed his endorsement in sweeping parental and public health terms. “As a parent, we need help. We have a generation that’s never been more anxious, less free, more stressed, and we have to address this issue,” he stated. The governor referenced his experience raising a 16-year-old and 12-year-old daughter, claiming current youth represent “the most anxious generation in history.” When confronted about potential First Amendment violations, Newsom doubled down on the mental health narrative, asserting a direct connection between social media platforms and declining youth psychological wellbeing.

Australian Inspiration and International Coordination

The timing of Newsom’s announcement followed recent international travel where he engaged with foreign leaders on this exact topic. He attended both the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and the Munich Security Conference, where discussions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and others centered on social media age limits. Australia’s recent implementation of strict age restrictions appears to have provided the blueprint California lawmakers now want to replicate. This coordination with international progressive leaders raises questions about whether such policies emerged from domestic concerns or imported ideology.

When Government Replaces Parenting

There’s something deeply troubling about a governor who admits he cannot manage his own children’s social media use without state intervention. Newsom’s appeal for help as a parent reveals either a failure of personal responsibility or an admission that government overreach has become the default solution for difficult parenting decisions. The legislation would impose blanket restrictions on millions of California families, regardless of individual circumstances, values, or parenting approaches. It substitutes one-size-fits-all government mandates for the hard work of teaching children digital literacy, self-control, and critical thinking.

The First Amendment concerns Newsom so casually dismissed deserve serious consideration. Social media platforms, despite their flaws, serve as modern public squares where young people engage with ideas, build communities, and exercise free speech rights. A total ban for those under 16 doesn’t just restrict access to entertainment; it limits political engagement, educational resources, and connections that many teens rely upon. Conservative principles recognize that freedom carries risks, and the proper response involves equipping young people to navigate those risks, not eliminating their choices entirely through government force.