The Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act aims to enhance protections for minors using online services by establishing clear definitions for terms such as "covered online service," "covered minor," and "dark pattern." The Act mandates that these services provide tools for minors to manage their privacy settings, limit communication, and control engagement with features that may promote excessive use. It prohibits targeted advertising to minors and restricts the collection and retention of their personal data, ensuring that such data is only kept as long as necessary for the specific service being used. Additionally, the Act emphasizes parental involvement by requiring services to offer tools for parents to manage their child's account settings and monitor usage.

The Act also introduces penalties for violations, classifying them as deceptive trade practices under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, with civil penalties capped at fifty thousand dollars per violation starting July 1, 2026. The Attorney General is restricted from initiating actions for civil penalties until that date. Each covered online service must appoint an officer responsible for compliance, and the Act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. A severability clause is included to ensure that if any part of the Act is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.