This bill establishes a Social Media Research Center at a four-year public institution of higher education in New Jersey, aimed at conducting collaborative and interdisciplinary research, analysis, and outreach activities focused on social media usage among children and adolescents. The center will be responsible for creating online courses on safe social media use, researching age-appropriate screen times and content, and making recommendations to address the mental and physical health challenges posed by social media. Additionally, it will conduct public awareness campaigns to promote responsible social media use and media literacy.

The center will also administer a grant program for social media research, with funds awarded based on scientific merit through a competitive peer review process. The hosting institution is required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature one year after the center's establishment and every five years thereafter, detailing its research projects, funding sources, and future directions. Funding for the center will come from annual appropriations by the Legislature, as well as grants and donations from public and private sources.