House Bill No. 5474, titled "An Act Concerning Social Media Platforms and Minors," seeks to enhance the safety and mental health resources available to minors on social media platforms. Effective October 1, 2025, the bill requires social media platform owners to establish an online safety center by January 1, 2026, which will provide resources to prevent cyberbullying, report harmful behavior, and educate users about the impact of social media on mental health. Additionally, platform owners must create a cyberbullying policy outlining how reports will be managed. The bill also revises existing laws regarding the processing of minors' personal data, prohibiting the use of such data for targeted advertising, selling, or profiling without consent, and expands the definition of "heightened risk of harm to minors" to include potential physical or mental health risks.

Moreover, the bill mandates that controllers of online services conduct data protection assessments for services that may pose a heightened risk to minors, with plans to mitigate identified risks potentially disclosed to the Attorney General. It also requires that online services with direct messaging capabilities for minors implement default settings to prevent unsolicited communications from unconnected adults. The bill removes the ability for individuals to consent to system design features that significantly increase usage without prior consent from the minor or their parent/guardian, while allowing exceptions for educational entities. Overall, HB5474 aims to create a safer online environment for minors by ensuring that social media platforms take proactive measures to protect their young users.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 42-529
KID Joint Favorable: 42-529
File No. 184: 42-529