Advocates came out in force in Trenton today, testifying on a package of bills sponsored by Assemblywoman Andrea Katz that would strengthen protections for children online and increase accountability for social media platforms. Together, the bills would strengthen default privacy protections for minors, require clear warnings about potential mental health risks associated with prolonged social media use, and support research to guide future policy decisions.

Read more: Advocates Support Katz Legislation to Protect Kids Online

Following the testimony, the Assembly Science, Technology and Innovation Committee advanced the New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015), which would require online service providers to implement measures to protect minors’ online privacy. The committee also advanced legislation that would require mental health warning labels on certain social media platforms (A4013), and a measure that would establish a Social Media Research Center (A4014).

Prior to the committee hearing, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin joined Assemblywoman Katz and other lawmakers at a press conference to explain the need to take proactive steps to ensure that as technology continues to evolve, the safety and well-being of children remain a top priority.

“While these social media apps can offer meaningful opportunities to connect and learn, we know they can expose young people to the kinds of pressures that affect their well-being,” said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “New Jersey has always stepped forward when new challenges demand thoughtful leadership, and our being here today reflects a commitment to creating a healthier and safer environment for the next generation.”

“Social media can be a powerful way for young people to connect, but we cannot ignore the growing evidence that it can also expose children to serious risks,” said Assemblywoman Katz (D-Atlantic, Burlington). “As a mom, I believe we have a responsibility to put commonsense safeguards in place that protect kids’ mental health, give families better information, and ensure platforms are doing their part to create safer online spaces.”

“Technology is evolving quickly, and our policies need to keep pace to ensure innovation happens responsibly,” said Assemblyman Chris Tully, Chair of the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (D-Bergen). “This legislation takes thoughtful steps to protect young people online while promoting transparency and accountability from the platforms they use every day.”

Advocates applauded the legislation during the press conference.

“By passing critical social media protections including the New Jersey Kids Code, New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the way, hold Big Tech companies accountable, and stand up for our kids,” said parent advocate Erin Popolo, whose daughter Emily died by suicide in 2021 after intense cyberbullying on Snapchat and Instagram.

“Parents across New Jersey are fed up with social media companies knowingly exploiting our children’s attention and mental health for profit and are demanding that state lawmakers take action,” said Julie Scelfo, Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). “This package of legislation would take critical steps to shield minors from addictive design features, protect our children’s privacy and safety, warn families about social media’s mental health risks, and force Big Tech to make their products safe by design. MAMA is grateful to Assemblywoman Katz, her fellow lawmakers, and our partners across the state for championing these essential policies to keep our kids safe online, and we urge the Legislature to quickly pass them into law.”

“The landmark federal social media trial is making it crystal clear: Big Tech companies have known for years about the harms their platforms inflict on our kids but have chosen profit over safety at every turn. Today, New Jersey has the opportunity to act on that evidence. Governor Sherrill has shown real leadership by making kids’ online safety a priority from day one, and this legislative package delivers on that commitment with exactly the kind of bold, design-centered approach that holds companies accountable and puts kids’ safety first. We applaud Assemblywoman Katz and Governor Sherrill for championing these bills, and we urge the Legislature to move swiftly to pass them,” said Sacha Haworth, Executive Director, The Tech Oversight Project.

“I have seen classmates develop eating disorders due to the content they’ve seen on social media, and I’ve seen friends become obsessed with their follower counts and how they look on their profiles to the point where they were missing out on schoolwork and events,” said Hanzla Ahmad, 18, from West Windsor with Design It For Us. “New Jersey has stayed at the forefront of innovation and progress. I ask you today to continue this legacy and pass the New Jersey Kids Code.”

“I have an immense sense of pride being from New Jersey. The state embodies being at the forefront of responsible technology policy, as we’ve seen with the strong package of bills the Committee is considering here, and now New Jersey has the opportunity to continue this legacy as it assists in leading the country into a future where kids and teens are receiving much-needed protection by immediately enacting the New Jersey Kids Code Act,” said Saahir Vazirani, 17, from South Amboy with Design It For Us.

“We are thrilled to see lawmakers stepping up again in New Jersey and around the country to introduce and push age-appropriate design legislation that holds Big Tech accountable for its design features and business model. We’ve backed this approach in states like California, Maryland, and Vermont, and are proud to do so here in New Jersey as well,” said Sebastian Mahal, Co-Chair of Design It For Us.

Today, Congressman Van Drew released a list highlighting some of the federal funding he has secured for South Jersey over the past year through the federal budget, competitive grants, and targeted infrastructure investments. In total, hundreds of millions of dollars are being brought back to New Jersey’s Second Congressional District.

“South Jersey will not be forgotten,” said Congressman Van Drew. “Our communities deserve their share, and I will keep fighting to make sure we get it. What we secured this past year is real money, for real projects, delivering real results, and we are not done yet. There are even more exciting funding announcements coming in the months ahead, and people across South Jersey are going to continue to see this funding take shape and transform their communities.”

Read more: Congressman Van Drew Celebrates Historic Federal Investments

Examples of Projects Funded and Receiving Funding:

$ Tens of Millions, Beach Replenishment: Commitment from the Army Corps of Engineers to fast-track funding for beach replenishment along the Jersey Shore.

$425,000,000, U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May: Provides funding for a new state-of-the-art indoor training center that consolidates seamanship training, firefighting training, physical fitness, classrooms, and graduation spaces into a single structure. Other major components include a new small-arms firing range, gallery cafeteria, and pier. The funding also provides for the total recapitalization of the barracks system.

$43,000,000, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Improvements: Provides funding for sustainment and infrastructure improvements at the Tech Center, including upgrades to electrical systems and resiliency projects.

$2,100,000, National Aviation Research and Technology Park (NARTP) Advanced Aviation Testing Corridor: Establishes a civilian/military drone testing corridor in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA to improve our ability to detect and manage drones in national airspace.

$10,508,000, Infrastructure Projects Across South Jersey: Provides funding for various projects, including Atlantic Avenue resurfacing and traffic light synchronization.

$37,800,000, Dredging and Erosion Mitigation: Provides funding for dredging and erosion mitigation across South Jersey, including dredging the Absecon Inlet, Cold Spring Inlet, New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, and Maurice River, as well as building outfall pipes and mitigating erosion in Atlantic City.

$24,300,000, Cape May City Seawall Flood Mitigation Project: Provides funding to build a protective seawall in Cape May.

$3,000,000, Atlantic Cape Community College Capital Fund: Supports the creation of a dental hygiene school, expanding access to healthcare education and local career opportunities.

$8,298,000, Airports Across South Jersey: Provides funding to improve and expand the infrastructure at Atlantic City International Airport, Woodbine Airport, Millville Airport, Cape May Airport, and Ocean City Airport.

$13,300,000, Head Start Programs: Provides funding for Head Start early childhood education projects across the district.

$1,000,000 ($500,000 each), Maurice River and Salem River: Historic “New Start” funding to study increasing the depth of the Maurice River and Salem River.

$2,625,000, Corbin City K9 Training Facility: For the construction of a modern K9 law enforcement training facility in Corbin City.

$2,000,000, Salem Town Bank Pump Station: To support the design and construction of flood mitigation infrastructure in Salem City.

$500,000, HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers: Supports a national expansion of the South Jersey-based HERO Campaign’s designated-driver/traffic safety programming.

$1,000,000, Swedesboro Lead Pipe Abatement: Replaces lead pipes and improves drinking water safety in the Borough of Swedesboro in support of their objective to be “lead free”.

$500,000, Cape May Desalination Plant: Brings in the United States Army Corps of Engineers to support the construction of a water desalination plant which serves Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, Cape May City, Cape May Point, West Cape May, and part of Lower Township.

$600,000, Gandy’s Beach: Funds an Army Corps investigation to design shore protection features at Gandy’s Beach in Cumberland County, which suffered a disaster in early 2024.

$750,000, Long Beach Township Sewer Main Replacement: Funds replacement of aging sewer main infrastructure to reduce failures/overflows and improve service reliability.

$1,000,000, Aviation Maintenance Training Academy: Establishes an Aviation Maintenance Training Academy at the Atlantic City International Airport in conjunction with the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, the U.S. Air Force, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the National Aviation Research and Technology Park, and aviation businesses. This will create a pipeline for workers and former military personnel to gain skills and access job opportunities in lucrative private sector aircraft maintenance positions.

$1,624,000, Emergency Shelter Water Supply for the City of Vineland: Supports the design and construction of additional sewer and water capacity to support the FEMA-designated emergency shelter at St. Augustine’s in Richland.