TRENTON, New Jersey – New Jersey lawmakers are considering a suite of bills aimed at regulating social media platforms and protecting young people from potential harms, a move mirroring growing concerns across the United States and internationally about the impact of these platforms on mental health and well-being.
The proposed legislation, debated by a state assembly committee on , encompasses three key measures. One bill would mandate social media companies to display warning labels, akin to those found on tobacco products, alerting users to potential mental health risks associated with platform use. Violations could result in fines of up to $250,000.
A second measure, dubbed the “New Jersey Kids Code Act,” focuses on data privacy. It seeks to strengthen protections for the personal information of minors online, amending existing data privacy definitions and imposing penalties for violations under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. Julie Scelfo, founder and executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction, highlighted the bill’s potential to limit manipulative algorithmic designs. “Right now, social media companies use features that are similar to the type of neuro-conditioning that you see in a slot machine, it keeps you coming back,” she said. “This bill would prevent the worst parts of this design from being used when it’s a child on the platform.”
Scelfo further explained that the act would establish the most stringent privacy settings as the default for young users, addressing the difficulties parents face in navigating complex parental control options. “Right now they say there are parental controls,” she stated. “I’m pretty smart, I have a master’s degree, and I tried for two decades to figure out all the parent controls and I can’t do it.”
The third bill proposes the establishment of a social media research center at a four-year public college within the state. This center would be dedicated to investigating the effects of social media use, particularly on children and adolescents, providing a dedicated academic focus on the evolving relationship between young people and these platforms.
The push for these regulations comes against a backdrop of increasing national scrutiny of social media’s impact on youth mental health. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has publicly called for warning labels on social media platforms, drawing parallels to the warnings required on cigarette packaging. This call, initially made in a opinion piece in The New York Times, has gained traction as concerns about rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among young people continue to grow.
The debate in New Jersey is also deeply personal for some. Erin Popolo testified before the committee, sharing the story of her 17-year-old daughter, Emily, who died by suicide after experiencing cyberbullying. “Our children are being dehumanized behind screens, we need them to come back to being with people, be able to communicate and connect with others,” Popolo said. “These bills are going to address a lot of what is concerning.”
The proposed legislation in New Jersey is part of a broader trend of legislative efforts across the U.S. To address the perceived harms of social media. Several states are considering similar measures, and the issue is also gaining attention at the federal level. The legal landscape is evolving, with potential challenges to these regulations based on First Amendment rights and arguments about the responsibility of platforms for user-generated content.
The potential impact of these bills extends beyond New Jersey. If enacted, they could serve as a model for other states and potentially influence federal policy. The debate also raises fundamental questions about the role of government in regulating online spaces and balancing the need to protect vulnerable populations with the principles of free speech and innovation.
The timing of these legislative efforts coincides with a series of upcoming legal tests for social media giants. Starting in , trials will begin testing legal strategies that claim Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube caused personal injury through the addictive nature of their platforms. These cases represent a significant escalation in the legal challenges facing the social media industry.
The University of Miami Health System has also highlighted the growing concern, noting that more than half of U.S. Teens spend over four hours daily on social media, often checking platforms throughout the day and night. Experts emphasize that social media use is not inherently harmful, but the way it is used – and the platforms’ designs intended to maximize engagement – can contribute to mental health challenges. The platforms are engineered to provide dopamine-inducing notifications and “likes,” which can be particularly addictive for adolescents who may lack the self-regulation skills of adults.
The debate over social media regulation is likely to continue as lawmakers, parents, and mental health professionals grapple with the complex challenges posed by these powerful platforms. The New Jersey bills represent a significant step towards addressing these concerns and potentially reshaping the relationship between young people and social media.
