This bill aims to regulate the use of social media platforms by minors in Alaska, addressing concerns about the potential negative impacts of excessive online engagement on their mental health and well-being. The legislation establishes that social media platforms must provide minors with content delivery systems that do not utilize addictive design features unless parental consent is obtained. Additionally, it prohibits platforms from sending notifications to minors during designated school hours or late at night, and restricts targeted advertising, data collection, and public visibility of minors' accounts. The bill emphasizes the importance of parental involvement and aims to protect minors while respecting free speech rights.

To enforce these regulations, the bill grants the attorney general the authority to impose punitive damages on platforms that violate the new provisions and outlines the requirement for annual reports from social media companies detailing their design features, harm mitigation measures, and data practices related to minors. The attorney general is also empowered to adopt regulations to implement these provisions effectively. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and mandates a report to the legislature on the regulations adopted by January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
HB0318A, AM HB 318, introduced 02/18/2026: 45.50.471, 45.50.650, 45.50.561, 45.50.531, 45.50.535, 45.50.680, 45.50.670