New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S1982

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

Impact

The implications of S1982 are significant, as it revises how social media companies operate regarding user registration for minors. It requires these companies to implement an age-verification process to prevent unauthorized access. Compliance necessitates changes in the platforms' operational frameworks, potentially affecting how they manage user data and privacy. Additionally, it allows the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to enforce penalties on companies failing to adhere to these regulations, which may lead to increased accountability among social media providers.

Summary

The bill S1982, proposed in New Jersey, mandates that social media companies require age verification and express parental or guardian consent for any user under the age of 18 to create an account. This legislation addresses growing concerns about the safety and privacy of minors on social media platforms. To facilitate consent, parents or guardians must provide government-issued identification and credit card information, alongside agreeing to a nominal fee of up to 35 cents. This system aims to ensure that minors do not access social media without adult oversight, thus providing an additional layer of protection against potential online risks.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding bill S1982 include concerns over parental consent as a barrier to access, which some may argue could impede minors' opportunities for social interaction and learning. Furthermore, the requirement for a credit card could exclude low-income families from enabling safe access to social media for their children. Critics may also raise issues about the effectiveness of such measures in truly safeguarding minors, questioning whether such regulations will deter inappropriate online interactions or provide genuine protection. The balance between safeguarding minors and ensuring accessible social platforms remains a focal point of debate surrounding this legislation.

Companion Bills

NJ A5750

Carry Over Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

NJ S4215

Carry Over Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

Previously Filed As

NJ S4215

Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

NJ A5750

Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

NJ SB385

Use of social media platforms by minors, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

NJ AB373

Use of social media platforms by minors, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. (FE)

NJ HB2553

Prohibiting the use of social media platforms by minors.

NJ HB1624

Consumer Data Protection Act; social media platforms; addictive feed prohibited for minors.

NJ HB05474

An Act Concerning Social Media Platforms And Minors.

NJ SB854

Consumer Data Protection Act; social media platforms, responsibilities and prohibitions to minors.

NJ HB1275

Social media; social network; parents and guardians; permission; verification.

NJ SB931

Social media; requiring certain age verification; requiring social media platforms to provide certain supervisory tools. Effective date.

Similar Bills

NJ S4215

Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

NJ A5750

Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

NJ A4644

Requires social media companies to take certain actions concerning accounts maintained by or featuring minors.

NJ A5330

Requires public school to adopt cell phone and social media policy based on guidelines developed by DOE.

CA SB845

Let Parents Choose Protection Act of 2023.

CA SB1444

Let Parents Choose Protection Act of 2024.

CA AB1800

Negligence: controlled substances: social media companies.

NJ S3583

Concerns policies governing student use of cell phones and social media platforms in public schools.