Bill > H666

This bill introduces comprehensive regulations for personal electronic device and social media use in schools and by minors. The first section requires all public schools to develop and implement policies that prohibit student access to personal electronic devices during the school day, with limited exceptions for individual student needs, educational plans, or emergencies. Schools must also create educational programs about the social, emotional, and physical risks of social media use. The second section establishes detailed requirements for social media platforms when interacting with minor users, including implementing robust age verification systems, setting strict default privacy and usage settings for accounts belonging to users under 18, and providing tools for users to flag harmful content. Social media platforms must also publicly share data about minor user interactions, conduct weekly surveys about user experiences, and display warnings about potential negative effects of social media. The bill mandates that platforms restrict minor users' access times, limit continuous usage, and provide mechanisms for parents and users to restrict or delete accounts. Violations of these provisions can result in significant civil fines, with penalties ranging from $5,000 per user affected to $1 million for certain reporting infractions. The overall goal is to protect young people from potential harm associated with unrestricted technology and social media use.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H666