Bill
Bill > S1964
NJ S1964
NJ S1964Prohibits social media platforms from using certain practices or features that cause child users to become addicted to platform.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits a social media platform from using any practice, design, feature, or affordance that would cause child users to become addicted to the platform. Under the bill, a social media platform would be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $250,000 for each violation. However, if a social media platform implements an audit program and corrects certain addictive practices, the platform would not be deemed to violate the provisions of the bill. Specifically, the social media platform would be required to conduct quarterly audits, and hire an independent third party to conduct an annual audit, to determine whether any of its practices, designs, features, or affordances would cause, have the potential to cause, or contribute to the addiction of child users to the platform. If so, the social media platform would also be required to correct the practice, design, feature, or affordance within 30 calendar days of the completion of the audit. Additionally, certain social media platforms would not be subject to the requirements of the bill. These social media platforms would include any platform that is controlled by a business entity that generated less than $100 million in gross revenue during the preceding calendar year, or any platform whose primary function is to enable users to play video games. The bill also clarifies that social media platforms would not be subject to liability under this bill for: (1) any content generated, uploaded, or shared by users of the platform; (2) any content that is created by third-party entities and passively displayed by the platform; (3) any information or content for which the platform was not responsible for creating and developing; and (4) any conduct involving child users that would otherwise be protected under certain federal law, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, or Article I, paragraph 6 of the State Constitution.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits social media platforms from using practices, designs, or features that cause child users, defined as individuals under 18, to become addicted, meaning they develop an unhealthy preoccupation or withdrawal from the platform that causes harm. Social media platforms could face a civil penalty of up to $250,000 per violation, but they can avoid liability by implementing a program of quarterly internal audits and annual independent third-party audits to identify and correct any addictive practices within 30 days. However, platforms controlled by businesses with less than $100 million in gross revenue in the previous year, or those primarily for video gaming, are exempt. The bill also clarifies that platforms are not liable for user-generated content, passively displayed third-party content, content they didn't create, or conduct protected by federal law, the U.S. Constitution, or the State Constitution.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1964 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1964_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S2000/1964_I1.HTM |
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