Nebraska senators debate Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act amid First Amendment and implementation concerns

Senators debated Legislative Bill 504, the Age‑Appropriate Online Design Code Act, and an amendment (AM 8 56) that substantially revised the bill’s definitions, requirements and enforcement provisions.

The bill’s introducer, Senator Boson, said the measure aims to “put up guardrails that allow for kids to be kids and to dip their toe in the water” of online services while protecting minors from harms she and others described, including bullying, depression and increased screen time. Boson summarized key changes in AM 8 56, saying the amendment removed several provisions that opponents had flagged — including design‑impact reporting requirements — and narrowed the bill to apply to “known minors” using an “actual knowledge” standard rather than to all services “likely to be accessed by minors.”

Why it matters: proponents and several lawmakers described growing evidence that some social platforms can harm young users and said state safeguards are needed because national solutions are slow. Opponents and several senators warned the measure still raises serious First Amendment and vagueness questions and could impose substantive…