Minnesota passes legislation aimed at protecting children from social media addiction

The bipartisan legislation mandates parental consent for kids under 16 to open accounts and restricts addictive features like infinite scrolling, and auto-play videos for users aged 15 and under.

Republican Representative Peggy Scott (Andover) authored the bill.

"This bill Is going to do a lot to protect our kids and there's a lot more going forward that we can do," Scott says. "I think this is an excellent start."

The bill would also require platforms to strip away certain “addictive” features for any users under 16, such as push notifications, interfaces that allow kids to just "scroll" indefinitely, video auto-play, and awards for using the platform.

The bill also says that no advertising can be targeted at these users either.

"I'm so gratified that it's such a bipartisan effort that everyone in this chamber cares deeply about our kids, and what they're exposed to. And we want the best lives for them," adds Scott.

Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) unsuccessfully offered an amendment that would have raised to 18 the age that users would be protected. She said the bad actors trying to exploit our vulnerable children will still be out there after a child turns 16.

“It’s time that we tell big tech that we’re going to protect kids and not their profits,” Bahner said.

Scott said she chose the age of 16 because social media companies have successfully sued other states that have extended similar protections to older children.

Rep. Andy Smith (DFL-Rochester) successfully offered an amendment that would require social media platforms to promptly inform the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension if in monitoring a user’s account they suspect that a criminal offense involving a threat to the life or safety of a person or persons has taken place, is taking place, or is likely to take place.

The bill applies to kids 15 and younger and would go into effect next year.