Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Andrea Katz that addresses the growing youth mental health crisis and strengthens protections for minors online was signed into law by Governor Mikie Sherrill today. The three-bill package strengthens online privacy protections for minors, establishes a statewide Social Media Research Center, and advances research into strategies to reduce harmful and addictive online behaviors among young users.
“For too long, parents have had to compete with multimillion dollar algorithms just to keep their kids safe,” said Assemblywoman Katz (D-Atlantic, Burlington). “That’s not a fair fight, and it’s time we leveled the playing field. Protecting our children’s mental health and safety online requires more than one solution, and this package delivers that. I’m proud we got this across the finish line and New Jersey has taken a big step to put the safety of our children first in the digital world.”
Bill A4015, known as the “New Jersey Kids Code Act,” adopts New Jersey Age-Appropriate Design Code and requires covered online service providers to strengthen privacy safeguards for minors, including applying the highest available privacy settings by default for users who are known to be minors. The bill also limits how minors’ personal data may be collected and used, prohibits providers from encouraging minors to weaken certain privacy protections, and requires a way for minors and parents to report harms they have experienced on an online service. Assemblywomen Marisa Sweeney and Luanne Peterpaul also sponsored the legislation.
Bill A4014 establishes a Social Media Research Center at a four-year public institution of higher education selected by the Secretary of Higher Education, in coordination with the Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness in the Department of Health. Assemblywoman Carmen Morales also sponsored the bill.
Bill A4013 directs the Social Media Research Center, in coordination with the Department of Health’s Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness, to research and make recommendations regarding addictive social media behaviors among children and adolescents and examine strategies, including warning labels and mandatory disclaimers, to reduce those behaviors. Assemblyman Cody Miller and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis also sponsored the bill.