"Look around the room everybody — we're making history."

California Assembly Speaker pro Tem Josh Lowenthal, moments before his chamber voted overwhelmingly to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts, a measure that would make California the first U.S. state to match Australia's national prohibition, and that now heads to the Senate with an Aug. 31 deadline. The bill drew bipartisan support, with one Republican saying he changed his vote after thinking about his nieces and nephews, but faces fierce opposition from Meta, TikTok, Snap and civil liberties groups who argue it violates the First Amendment and could cut off LGBTQ+ youth from online communities where they find safety. The bill still needs Senate approval and Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature, who vetoed a similar measure two years ago. (Sacramento Bee)