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Public Safety

New California Law Aims To Protect Minors Online

New California Law Aims To Protect Minors Online
Darrell Steinberg talks about the law that he describes as a "common sense provision."

A new law that takes effect in 2015 was written to protect California teenagers who use social media from themselves and from some advertisers.

Former State Senate President Darrell Steinberg wrote the law. He says any social media site accessible in California must provide minors a way to delete messages and pictures they post.

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"Universities are looking at the Facebook accounts and other internet sites for young people," Steinberg said. "Sometimes somebody who is 15,16,17 may say or do something that they may think is innocent but can actually affect their ability to get into college."

The law does not pertain to a message or picture that is re-posted.

The law also makes it illegal to advertise items like drugs or guns to minors if it is illegal to market those products to minors in other media.

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