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Proposal would treat social-media platforms as 'products,' explore parental warnings to protect minors
Summary
Sen. Wendy DeBoer proposed LB 1175 to clarify damages under the parental-rights-in-social-media law and to allow social-media platforms to be treated as products for product-liability claims; sponsors suggested possible narrowing to a warnings-based approach tied to parental-consent accounts.
Sen. Wendy DeBoer (District 10) introduced LB 1175 to strengthen the parental-rights-in-social-media statute by clarifying damages and allowing social-media platforms to be treated as products for purposes of Nebraska product-liability law, or alternatively to pursue a statutory warning/labeling regime for parent-authorized child accounts.
DeBoer framed the proposal as a response to research on youth mental-health harms and platform design that incentivizes prolonged engagement. She said product-liability analogies can hold platforms accountable for foreseeable harms and suggested a narrower alternate path focused on warnings for parent-verified accounts created under last year’s parental-consent law.
Proponents compared platform harms to other public-health examples and urged statutory tools. Josh Yambor (attorney and parent) cited CDC and Surgeon General advisories and likened platform design to historical public-health controversies, saying warning requirements could be a practical path. Sponsors acknowledged difficult causation challenges but argued claimants should have the opportunity to prove causation in court.
Opponents submitted letters and the committee noted several written comments; sponsor said she would work with stakeholders on narrowing language and warning alternatives before further action.
