Vermont House Bill H0797

Vermont 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/24
• Refer: 1/16/24

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, H0797 will fundamentally alter the landscape of social media platform operation within Vermont. The legislation mandates that social media companies take responsibility not just for the content shared on their platforms but also for the design features that promote excessive usage. This includes mechanisms such as engagement algorithms and practices deemed harmful to child users. The Attorney General is empowered to establish rules and penalties for companies that fail to protect minors from negative experiences linked to social media engagement.

Summary

House Bill 0797, known as the Vermont Social Media Safety Act, seeks to enhance the regulatory authority of the Attorney General concerning social media platforms, particularly to protect child users. The bill responds to concerns about the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health, as highlighted by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in a May 2023 advisory. Given that social media is commonly used among young populations, the Act aims to establish stricter oversight and consumer protections against potential harms associated with prolonged social media use.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance between necessary regulations for public safety and the potential overreach into company operations and First Amendment rights. Proponents argue for the need to address the alarming statistics regarding youth mental health and social media dependency, citing data that links excessive social media use to rising rates of depression and self-harm among teens. On the other hand, critics raise concerns about the broader implications of regulation, such as possible stifling of innovation in the tech sector and definitional challenges in determining what constitutes harmful practices.