Since the early 2000s, the evolution of social media has been rapid and undeniably monumental across the world.

It's allowed us to connect with distant family members, find community in unique spaces, and share our lives with others.

However, its negative effects on the youth have prompted California leaders to take action.

Monday morning, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahn, introduced Assembly Bill 56, which would require social media platforms to warn users about the potential harmful mental health effects the platforms pose.

"Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok have become an everpresent, nearly inescapable part of our daily lives," Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

"Study after study shows that this heavy social media use correlates with the higher rates of psychological distress you heard from the AG. We also know that when they reduce their social media usage, their mental health improves markedly. It is the combination of addictive features and toxic content that overwhelms these adolescent's brains," Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahn added.

Last year, U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, released an advisory that points to growing evidence of social media being harmful to teens' mental health. in the report, Dr. Murthy discussed the findings of a study that found that adolescents ages 12-15 who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of experiencing depression and anxiety.

Attorney General Rob Bonta, also emphasized the importance of holding social media companies accountable with many of them being founded in California where they continue to thrive with what he says is little regard for their users.

"They know they're addictive, they know they're not safe, and they refuse to act," Attorney General Rob Bonta added.