Nevada Senate passes bill curbing some online platform features for minors; opponents cite First Amendment concerns

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Senate passed Senate Bill 63 on May 26, a measure that establishes requirements for "covered digital platforms" and their treatment of accounts used by minors who reside in Nevada.

Senator Lang, speaking on the bill, said SB 63 "establishes provisions relating to the use of covered digital platforms by minors who reside in Nevada and require such platforms upon the request of a parent or legal guardian to disable certain features on the account of a minor user." The bill also requires a platform to either establish certain safeguards related to usage time and notifications to minors or refrain from sending such notifications during certain times of the day, Lang said on the floor.

Senator Buck spoke in opposition. "While well intentioned, [SB 63] oversteps constitutional bounds and imposes impractical restrictions on online platforms," Buck said. He raised concerns about vague definitions (including the terms "covered digital platform" and "user generated content"), potential chilling of protected speech, and the effect of prohibiting the use of a minor's personal information in recommendation systems.

After debate the Secretary opened the roll; the vote was recorded as 13 yes and 8 no. The president declared SB 63 passed and ordered to the Assembly.

Why it matters: The bill alters how platforms must treat minors' accounts in Nevada, including parent-requested disabling of certain features and limits or timing restrictions on notifications. Supporters framed the bill as protecting minors from potentially harmful features; opponents warned of constitutional and practical consequences.

Speakers (floor appearances captured in transcript)

- Senator Lang — Senator; government - Senator Buck — Senator; government

Authorities cited on the floor

- Senate text and sections (the bill was read on the floor with references to section 1 and section 38 in legislative form). Referenced by: SB 63 floor presentation.

Clarifying details (recorded on the floor)

- Parental control: Platforms must, upon request by a parent or legal guardian, disable certain features on a minor's account (as described by Senator Lang). - Notifications and usage-time safeguards: Platforms must either establish safeguards or refrain from sending notifications during certain times (as described by Senator Lang). - Vote tally: Yes 13; No 8.

Provenance (transcript evidence)

- topicintro: {"block_id":"s1123.27","local_start":0,"local_end":93,"evidence_excerpt":"Senate bill 63, introduced by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, revises provisions relating to the use of certain online products and services by minors and children, the people of state of Nevada represented in Senate assembly, to enact as follows, section 1 end of section 1."}

- topfinish: {"block_id":"s1294.76","local_start":0,"local_end":38,"evidence_excerpt":"S b 63 has received the constitutional majority as declared passed in order to the assembly."}