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Assembly committee advances New Jersey package to tighten online protections for children
Summary
The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee released three bills that would require stronger default privacy settings for minors, require mental‑health warnings on platforms and fund a research center to study social media’s effects on youth; the committee voted to advance the measures to the full Assembly.
The Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee voted to release a three‑bill package on child online safety Tuesday, advancing the New Jersey Kids Code Act (A4015), a social‑media mental‑health warnings bill (A4013) and a proposal to establish a social‑media research center (A4014).
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, the primary sponsor, told the committee the package seeks “stronger default privacy and safety protections for minors” and measures to “increase transparency through independent audits” and platform accountability. Katz said the bills aim to reduce harms including cyberbullying, exposure to dangerous challenges and harms to mental health.
Several parents and clinicians gave emotional testimony in support. A bereaved parent, addressed in the hearing as Karen, urged members to act: “Please help my daughter’s death not be in vain,”…
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