Yesterday, Governor **Gavin Newsom** signed a dozen bills into law, all with the stated goal of enhancing online safety for children. Among these, **AB 1709** has drawn significant opposition from the **Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)**, which views it as a functional ban on social media use for individuals under 16. Conversely, the **EFF** has voiced strong support for two other bills in the package: **AB 2071** and **AB 2298**. These bills mandate the integration of critical digital literacy and cybersecurity topics into school curricula, offering what the **EFF** describes as an affirmative and constitutional approach to addressing concerns about youth internet use, without infringing upon First Amendment rights. ### Education vs. Censorship Unlike blanket prohibitions, **AB 2071** and **AB 2298** tackle online safety through empowerment rather than restriction. Young people increasingly rely on the internet not just for entertainment, but for civic engagement, educational pursuits, self-expression, and community building—a necessity particularly for vulnerable youth who may lack support in their physical environments. Experts and research consistently indicate that open dialogues about digital literacy and privacy with trusted adults are far more effective in safeguarding youth than restrictive censorship laws. This perspective is echoed by young people themselves; notably, **AB 2071** was co-authored by a group of students actively seeking better resources to navigate their digital lives safely. **AB 2071** and **AB 2298** are designed to fill crucial gaps in California’s school curricula by equipping students with actionable skills. **AB 2071** integrates digital wellness into middle and high school health classes, focusing on identifying unhealthy tech habits, personal safety online, and evaluating digital content for credibility and bias, including AI-generated media. Meanwhile, **AB 2298** introduces cybersecurity concepts into recommended school curricula, teaching young people how to protect their personal data from online threats. While the state's inclination towards social media bans represents a concerning policy direction, the enactment of **AB 2071** and **AB 2298** demonstrates a viable alternative. Lawmakers are urged to move beyond quick-fix censorship and instead champion constitutional, empowering solutions that provide youth with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital age.