Healey unveils plan to require default limits and privacy protections for social‑media users under 18

Governor Healey announced a package of regulations aimed at limiting harms that social media can pose to children and teenagers, saying the state will require platforms to start under‑18 accounts with safety‑first defaults.

The proposal would set default daily limits of two hours for users under 18, deactivate features the governor called “addictive” — such as infinite scrolling and autoplay — end algorithmic targeting of young people, turn off location sharing for youth accounts, ban notifications during school hours and overnight, and require parental consent to change the defaults for users 15 and younger. "We're taking steps here in Massachusetts to protect our young people," Healey said, arguing that platforms have designed products to be addictive and that families need support to protect children online.

Why it matters: The governor framed the move as a public‑health intervention, pointing to research and enforcement work by state investigators that, she said, show links between heavy social‑media use and higher risks of depression and anxiety among teens. Healey framed the rules as default settings — not an outright ban — that parents or teens could override in some cases, and she said the administration does not expect the plan to produce direct state costs because the compliance burden would fall on social‑media companies.

Supporters at the event included child‑safety advocates, educators and a student speaker. Dave Monahan, campaign director for Fair Play, said the platforms "lure and manipulate children" and praised the governor for proposing reforms that would reduce manipulative marketing and strengthen parents’ ability to protect children. Max Paige, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, said educators report rising loneliness, distraction and mental‑health struggles among students and urged consistent baseline policies across districts. Philip O'Connor, president of the Lynn Teachers Union and a middle‑school teacher, described students as young as 11 or 12 with multiple accounts and disrupted sleep. Everett High School senior Emma Perry said she uses social media daily and called the proposal a way to create a healthier balance rather than disconnect youth entirely.

Legal and implementation questions: Deputy Attorney General Sarah Cable told reporters the administration worked closely with the attorney general’s office to design an approach focused on default features that the office believes is legally defensible. "We feel that we have an approach focused on the default features that is strong and will hold up in court," Cable said. Reporters pressed how a two‑hour default would work across multiple platforms; the administration said laws require companies to comply and that the technical implementation of defaults is feasible. The governor also said the state would continue to coordinate with the legislature, where related proposals on cell‑phone rules are moving through committees.

What’s next: Healey said the administration will continue discussions with the legislature and stakeholders on details — including privacy and funding for related school policies — and expects the ideas to be considered as part of the ongoing legislative process. The event closed with the governor reiterating the goal of shifting control away from platforms and toward families.