Newsom Rolls The Dice On One Of Today’s Hottest Political Issues

(Photo by Alexandra BEIER / AFP via Getty Images)

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom staked out a pretty strong position on one of the biggest issues in modern politics: what to do about kids and social media.

Newsom now wants state legislation to limit social media access for teens under the age of 16, Politico first reported Thursday. A spokesperson, Tara Gallegos, said that the Democratic governor would back rules similar to those Australia implemented in 2025 that block kids from having social media accounts. However, it’s unclear whether he would be in full support of a total ban. Gallegos told Politico that his opinion, like many a politician, is fluid. (RELATED: Big Tech’s Killer Apps: Grieving Parents Call Out Social Media Deaths)

“We need help. I think it’s long overdue that we’re having the debate,” Newsom said at a recent press conference. “It is something that I’m very grateful that we are debating and pursuing at the state level.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks about the California National Guard and California Highway Patrol (CHP) seizures of illicit drugs including fentanyl and border security operations during a press conference at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport in San Diego, California on February 2, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)

Considering that Newsom will likely run for the Democratic nomination in 2028, this is a pretty big roll of the dice. Social media regulation is a thorny issue, and as is the case with so many thorny issues, Americans of all ideological stripes have very diverse opinions.

For example, on the right, there is probably a big split between the socials conservative and the libertarian free marketers. But those who are socially conservative might also fear that an outright ban is too much of an infringement from the government, and that parents ought to be the regulators of kids’ social media use. There’s also the Spencer Cox, Utah approach. In 2023, Utah became the first state to limit teenagers’ social media use by requiring parental consent for kids to use certain social media apps.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 13: Participants hold signs in support of TikTok outside the U.S. Capitol Building on March 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on whether to ban TikTok in the United States due to concerns over personal privacy and national security unless the Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance sells the popular video app within the next six months. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Much like the progressives of the early 20th century who tried to ban alcohol, factions on the the left today would also want to use state power to ban social media or curb its use, because it is harmful and addictive. That being said, I could imagine many young leftists opposing such a measure. They might argue that a ban for kids under 16 plays into the hands of rich, powerful lobbies, like the NRA, who might want to stifle speech from young activists, such as victims of school shootings.

Should Newsom run in 2028, he will also have to consider whether he wants to alienate Big Tech companies, who would definitely throw lots of money his way. Google, TikTok and Facebook’s parent company, Meta, sued California to block a state social media law. The companies argue that the law, which mandates parental consent for minors to view personalized content feeds, violates free speech rights, Politico reported. The harder Newsom comes down on social media as governor, the harder it will be for him to court those deep-pocketed, Silicon Valley donors. (RELATED: Is First Domino In Child Abuse Fight Falling?)

It’s no surprise that his spokesperson emphasized his opinion on outright bans is fluid. He may have to course correct when the time comes. And no matter what, he will want Silicon Valley on his side.

© The Daily Caller