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Bill > HB1287

CO HB1287

Social Media Tools for Minor Users & Parents

summary

Introduced
02/26/2025
In Committee
04/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/07/2025

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

The bill establishes certain requirements for social media companies and social media platforms in order to protect Colorado minor users. Specifically, the bill: ! Relocates, with amendments, certain language requiring a social media platform to include a function that provides minor users information about their engagement in social media, which language was enacted in 2024 by House Bill 24-1136; ! Requires a social media company to implement an age assurance system to determine whether a current or prospective Colorado user on the social media company's social media platform is a minor; ! Requires a social media company to provide tools and settings for a minor user to control their own experience using a social media platform; ! Requires a social media company to provide tools and settings for parents to support a minor user of a social media platform; ! Specifies minimum capabilities for the tools and settings; ! Requires a social media company to take additional specific measures to maximize the privacy and security of minor users; ! Prohibits a social media platform from leading or encouraging a minor or parent to provide personal information, provide consent, disable safeguards or parental tools, or forgo privacy or security protections using a mechanism or interface that is designed to substantially subvert or impair, or that is manipulated with the effect of substantially subverting or impairing, user autonomy, decision-making, or choice; ! Deems the use of a design, algorithm, or feature to increase, sustain, or extend a minor user's engagement with, or use of, a social media platform to be processing that presents a heightened risk of harm to minors, as defined in existing law, and therefore subject to certain data analysis requirements; and ! Authorizes the attorney general to adopt rules to implement the bill.

AI Summary

This bill establishes comprehensive protections for minor users of social media platforms in Colorado, addressing growing concerns about the mental health and privacy risks associated with social media use by children and teenagers. The legislation requires social media companies to implement an age assurance system to identify minor users and provide them with specific tools and safeguards. These include the ability for minors to disable personalized recommendation systems, set time limits on platform usage, schedule breaks, and manage their account settings. Parents would be given supervisory tools to monitor and control their children's social media experience, such as viewing account metrics, controlling privacy settings, and restricting financial transactions. The bill prohibits social media platforms from using design features that manipulate or exploit user engagement, particularly for minors, and mandates that platforms maximize privacy and security by default. Platforms must also provide clear notices about data collection, prevent public access to minor users' personal information, and allow minors to request account or content deletion. Violations of these requirements would be considered deceptive trade practices, enforceable by the Colorado Attorney General. The legislation stems from extensive research highlighting the negative mental health impacts of unregulated social media use on children, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and self-harm, and aims to create a safer online environment for young users.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

House Committee on Appropriations Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed (on 05/13/2025)

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