A proposal introduced in the California State Assembly would allow parents in the state to sue social media companies that “knew or should have known” that their products are addictive to children. The legislation, formally titled Social Media Platform Duty to Children Act, states that companies “intentionally invent, design, and deploy” features that are intended to make it hard for users to stop using their social media platforms, including employing the same techniques as gambling firms. Democrat Buffy Wicks and Republican Jordan Cunningham are the co-sponsors. “Addicted consumers are particularly profitable because their consumption behavior goes beyond normal engagement levels,” the measure states, noting that many users spend even more time on social media when they engage with content that makes them unhappier or unhealthier. If enacted, individual and class action lawsuits would be permitted against companies with more than $100 million a year in revenue if they developed or …