United Kingdom, Sept. 11 -- California has adopted a package of laws targeting social media companies and artificial intelligence systems in an attempt to protect children from online harms.

Governor Gavin Newsom described the measures as "nation-leading", with one law banning social media platforms from using features including infinite scrolling and autoplay for users under 16.

AB 1709 is intended to tackle what Newsom described as the engineering behind potentially addictive platforms, including algorithms and design features that encourage users to keep scrolling.

Newsom said: "This is about actually addressing the problem, the scrolling, the algorithms."

The new laws also allow families to opt out of school-issued laptops and int...