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 to manage reports of such behavior. The bill also revises existing laws regarding the processing of minors' personal data, prohibiting the use of their 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.

Key provisions of the bill include the requirement for online services to implement default settings that prevent unsolicited communications from adults to minors and the prohibition of design features that significantly increase minors' usage of these platforms. The Attorney General is granted authority to require controllers to disclose their risk mitigation plans if they pose a heightened risk of harm to minors. The bill also mandates that controllers conduct additional data protection assessments to address foreseeable risks to minors' health and removes the option for minors or their guardians to consent to features designed to increase usage without prior consent, with exceptions for educational entities. Overall, HB 5474 aims to create a safer online environment for minors while ensuring that social media platforms take proactive measures to protect their users.

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