The bill amends the Social Media Safety Act in Arkansas to enhance protections for minors using social media platforms. It introduces new definitions, including "account holder" and "minor," with the latter now defined as individuals under sixteen years of age. The bill also defines "covered social media platforms," which are those likely used by minors, while excluding email services and not-for-profit organizations. To combat addiction and compulsive behaviors, the bill requires social media platforms to implement measures such as limiting notifications during specific hours and providing parents with tools to monitor their children's access.

Additionally, the bill strengthens enforcement mechanisms related to age verification and parental consent, allowing parents to initiate civil actions against non-compliant platforms and establishing strict liability for violations. The penalty for violations is increased from $2,500 to $10,000 per incident, with each day a minor accesses a platform in violation constituting a separate violation. Fines collected will fund the newly established "Crimes Against Children Fund," which will support investigations and enforcement of the Act. The bill also mandates technological measures to prevent minors from bypassing age verification protocols and includes a severability clause to ensure the validity of remaining provisions if any part is found invalid. The enforcement of these provisions will take effect one year after the bill's enactment.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB611 V2 - 4-10-2025 09:38 AM: 4-88-1401, 04-10-2025, 4-88-1402, 4-88-1403(b), 4-88-1403(c)
Old version SB611 Original - 4-2-2025 04:09 PM: 4-88-1401, 4-88-1402, 4-88-1403(b), 4-88-1403(c)
SB 611: 4-88-1401, 4-88-1402, 4-88-1403(b), 4-88-1403(c)
Act 900: 4-88-1401, 04-10-2025, 4-88-1402, 4-88-1403(b), 4-88-1403(c)