AB 1043 risks isolating LGBTQ+ youth even further

OPINION – California is home to the largest LGBTQ+ population in the country. Even conservative estimates show that the number of LGBTQ+ Californians would outnumber the entire populations of 18 other U.S. states.  As such, California has always endeavored to be sensitive to the needs of marginalized communities threatened by discrimination, prejudice, and bullying. We are a multi-ethnic society and host a diverse business, political, and community leadership. But to maintain that progress, we must ensure that our laws do not take away the tools that have made our state progressive.

AB 1043, a bill presented as an online child safety measure aimed at protecting young people by requiring app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for downloads, will lead to negative impacts for the very same marginalized youth it seeks to protect—especially LGBTQ+ youth. As a result, LGBTQ+ youth could face greater harm, not less.

Our research shows that 64% of LGBTQ+ adults joined social media before turning 18, often in search of connection, belonging, and identity exploration. These platforms are not optional—they are essential affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth where they can explore who they are, connect with the community, and access vital mental health resources.

AB 1043’s proposed age verification measures, which rely on government-issued IDs and/or the provision of sensitive personal data, raise serious red flags around privacy and safety, and could lead to unintended consequences for LGBTQ+ youth.

For LGBTQ+ youth in hostile, non-affirming households, being forced to seek parental consent before downloading an app could mean being outed—sometimes with dangerous consequences. A single app notification could jeopardize a young person’s safety, mental health, or even their life.

Moreover, when access to trusted platforms is blocked, youth don’t stop seeking access—they just turn to less safe, unmoderated corners of the internet. In trying to protect them, we may be pushing them into greater harm.

At LGBT Tech, we work at the intersection of technology and equity, advocating for policies that empower historically marginalized communities. We know and understand deeply how our community heavily relies on digital platforms not just for entertainment, but for survival. They are lifelines, essential tools for those living in unsupportive or unsafe environments.

We urge California lawmakers to thoughtfully consider the wide-ranging impacts AB 1043 will have on LGBTQ+ youth and historically marginalized communities. Instead of creating barriers and restricting critical access to online support and communities, we should invest in privacy-first protections, digital literacy, and inclusive policies that recognize the realities LGBTQ+ youth face. Let’s ensure that digital spaces remain safe, affirming, and accessible to all.

California has the opportunity to lead once again—not just in innovation, but in compassion and equity. Let’s not let our most vulnerable youth down.

Carlos Gutierrez is Deputy Director & General Counsel of LGBT Tech, the nation’s premier organization working to bridge the technology gap for all LGBTQ+ individuals.