New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S4153

Caption

Prohibits social media platforms from promoting certain practices or features of eating disorders to child users.

Impact

The implications of S4153 extend to existing state laws regarding digital content and child protection. If enacted, the bill would reinforce the responsibility of social media companies to monitor and regulate their content, particularly features that might be harmful to young users. This could compel companies to invest in comprehensive auditing mechanisms to ensure compliance. Violations of these provisions would allow for civil penalties, which adds a layer of accountability for tech companies operating within New Jersey.

Summary

S4153 is a legislative bill introduced in New Jersey that aims to prohibit social media platforms from using designs, algorithms, practices, or features that could lead to the development of eating disorders among users younger than 18 years old. The bill explicitly states that platforms must act with reasonable care and be aware of how their features might contribute to such conditions, which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Notably, it restricts the promotion of products that could potentially trigger these disorders, thereby attempting to create a safer online environment for children.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding this bill include the balance between regulating harmful content and the free expression rights of social media platforms. Critics may argue that broad regulations could stifle creativity and innovation in social media design. Additionally, there are questions regarding enforcement mechanisms, particularly how to ensure that platforms accurately identify and amend harmful features without overstepping into censorship. The potential financial penalties for non-compliance, capped at $250,000 per violation, may also result in pushback from platform owners who are concerned about the financial implications of such liabilities.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NJ A4664

Prohibits social media platforms from promoting certain practices or features of eating disorders to child users.

NJ S3608

Prohibits social media platforms from using certain practices or features that cause child users to become addicted to platform.

NJ A5069

Prohibits social media platforms from using certain practices or features that cause child users to become addicted to platform.

NJ S1964

Prohibits social media platforms from using certain practices or features that cause child users to become addicted to platform.

NJ A1883

Prohibits social media platforms from using certain practices or features that cause child users to become addicted to platform.

NJ SB287

Features that harm child users: civil penalty.

NJ H0797

An act relating to the regulation of social media platforms for the protection of child users

NJ AB2408

Social media platform: child users: addiction.

NJ SB680

Features that harm child users: civil penalty.

NJ HB186

Relating to prohibiting use of social media platforms by children.

Similar Bills

CA SB287

Features that harm child users: civil penalty.

NJ A4664

Prohibits social media platforms from promoting certain practices or features of eating disorders to child users.

NC S514

Social Media Control in IT Act

CA SB680

Features that harm child users: civil penalty.

NC H860

Social Media Control in IT Act

AR HB1726

To Create The Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act.

AR HB1083

To Create The Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act.

AZ SB1344

Social media platforms; standards; notification