Bill > S335

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for technology use and social media access for minors in Massachusetts, focusing on two primary areas: school technology policies and social media platform requirements. For schools, the bill mandates that public schools develop and implement policies restricting personal electronic device usage during school hours, with limited exceptions for specific educational needs or emergencies. Schools must also create educational programs that teach students about the social, emotional, and physical risks associated with social media use. For social media platforms, the bill requires stringent age verification systems with 99% accuracy, mandatory privacy and usage restrictions for minor users (such as limiting daily platform access to 1.5 hours, disabling autoplay and continuous scrolling, and restricting usage during certain hours), and transparency requirements including weekly surveys about user experiences and public reporting of platform interactions. The legislation aims to protect minors from potential harm by creating structured, age-appropriate digital environments in both educational and online social settings. Violations of these provisions can result in significant civil fines, with penalties ranging from $5,000 per user affected to $1 million for systemic reporting failures, emphasizing the bill's commitment to enforcing these protective measures.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S335