Michigan Lawmakers Push 'Kids Over Clicks' Bills to Curb Social Media Addiction and Protect Minors Online

Michigan lawmakers are advancing legislation that would limit addictive social media feeds, restrict certain AI chatbot features, and give parents more control over their children's online activity, following a California jury verdict holding Meta and Google liable for youth harm.

The "Kids Over Clicks" package includes three bills that would require parental consent before providing addictive, personal data-driven feeds to minors, mandate stricter data privacy settings for children, and bar minors from using AI companion chatbots with self-harm capabilities.

"As we see an alarming rising rate of teen suicide, depression, anxiety, and more, we cannot sit back and do nothing. We must step up and address the root cause of Big Tech's exploitative and addictive algorithms that trap kids in an endless cycle of harmful content," said Sen. Darrin Camilleri, the bills' primary sponsor.

The legislation comes after a March jury verdict in California found tech giants Meta and YouTube liable in a case alleging addictive practices that harmed young users. Michigan lawmakers hope their bills will give parents more tools to protect children from these same dangers.

Three Bills, One Goal

The Kids Over Clicks package consists of Senate Bills 757 through 760, championed by a bipartisan group of senators including Darrin Camilleri, Kevin Hertel, Stephanie Chang, and Dayna Polehanki.

SB 757, the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation For Kids Act, would prohibit social media platforms from providing addictive, personal data-driven feeds to minors unless parental consent is given.

SBs 758 and 759, the Kids Code Act, would mandate stricter data privacy and safety settings for minors on digital platforms while also giving parents more control over their children's online accounts.

SB 760, the Leading Ethical AI Development For Kids Act, would ensure that dangerous AI companion chatbots are inaccessible to children, including those that have the capability to encourage self-harming behaviors, illegal activities, or sexually explicit interactions.

"As a parent, I'm focused on giving my kids a childhood where they can play outside, run around with friends, and enjoy just being a kid," said Sen. Kevin Hertel. "But as social media becomes more and more present in our lives, and as Big Tech chooses to push unethical, predatory practices, that goal is becoming difficult to achieve."

Personal Stories Drive the Legislation

The bills emerged from real-life tragedies that prompted parents to demand action. Charay Gadd, a Michigan mother who lost her daughter London to online addiction, testified before the Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee during a March 4 hearing.

"We had rules, we had boundaries," Gadd said. "I took her phone at night. I was present. And still, the addictive algorithm found her."

Gadd brought her story to the Michigan State Capitol, hoping lawmakers would listen as they considered new bills aimed at cracking down on online addiction. "Please lead," she told committee members. "Please act and please protect Michigan's children."

John DeMay from the Upper Peninsula testified about his 17-year-old son Jordan, who died by suicide in 2022 after being targeted on Instagram, coerced into sending explicit images, and then extorted. DeMay said prevention is the real goal, and he believes the California court decision could mark a turning point by focusing on how platforms are designed, not just what users post.

Industry Pushback

The bills faced pushback during the March 4 committee hearing from technology industry representatives. Bartlett Cleland, general counsel for NetChoice, appeared before committee members and argued some of the package would be unconstitutional, potentially exposing taxpayers to the cost of litigation.

"You need only open any of the apps that any of my members provide, or their products themselves, to see all of the different tools that parents and kids are provided to use," Cleland told committee members.

He also argued that corporations have a right to expression, just as children have free speech rights within bounds.

Bipartisan Debate on Effectiveness

While the Senate committee voted in late March to move the bills forward, not everyone agreed the legislation would solve the problems. Republican Sen. Mark Huizenga questioned whether the bills would actually work.

"I wonder if this should be federal policy, if we should look at solutions that way, because it seems like anytime we have people with addictions or the kids that have a strong passion for finding ways around the mouse trap, it isn't quite enough," Huizenga said.

He raised concerns that children could find ways to bypass the measures using proxy servers and other methods. "These kids look for, then, proxy servers and other ways to then work their way around it."

Pediatric Support

Dr. Elizabeth Hill, a pediatrician testifying in support of the package, defended the bills as one of many layers needed to protect children.

"I think of this as one of the many layers to protect our kids," Hill said. "I think about working small, working from one spot, and working our way outward."

Next Steps

The Senate is currently out of session until next week, with the bills now sitting before the full upper chamber for consideration. If the Senate approves them, the bills would head to the Michigan House for further review.

Sources:

• "AT THE CAPITOL | MI lawmakers consider 'Kids Over Clicks' bills, aiming to keep minors from online addiction" — WZZM-13 | https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/politics/michigan-politics/at-the-capitol-michigan-lawmakers-consider-kids-over-clicks-bills/69-2bf0bc5a-6df9-485f-aefd-32dfb09fd8e6
• "Senate Committee Passes Kids Over Clicks Bill Package to Better Protect Michigan Youth Online" — Michigan Senate Democrats | https://senatedems.com/blog/2026/03/24/protect-michigan-youth
• "Upper Michigan — Michigan lawmakers have advanced a new online child-safety package of bills" — WUPM 106.9 | https://www.wupm1069.com/post/4-06-2026