Senate Democrats Target Big Tech With Online Safety Package

The Michigan Senate passed a bipartisan package of bills aimed at protecting minors from social media addiction and online exploitation on Wednesday.

Senate Bills 757 through 760, collectively known as the Kids Over Clicks package, would require parental consent for social media platforms to use addictive algorithms with minors. The legislation also would ban targeted advertising directed at children and restrict access to dangerous AI chatbots that could encourage self-harm or illegal activities.

The bills passed with most Republicans and one Democratic Senator voting against them.

"Time and time again, Big Tech platforms have shown that they will always prioritize their bottom line over the safety of our children. That is unacceptable," said Sen. Darrin Camilleri, a Democratic sponsor of the package. "With this legislation, we're standing up to massive tech companies and forcing them to put an end to the exploitative, dangerous, addictive feeds they use to keep our kids endlessly scrolling while they make a profit."

The package consists of four separate bills:

  • 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 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 chatbots are inaccessible to children

"Big Tech companies know that children are incredibly vulnerable, yet continue to exploit them for profit and expose them to addictive feeds and a multitude of harmful content, leading to more anxiety, depression and sometimes even fatalities," said Sen. Stephanie Chang, a Democratic sponsor. "It is time that we give Michigan parents tangible avenues to protect their children from online danger."

Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, a Republican, unsuccessfully tried to add a social media ban for all minors under 16 years old.

"If we really care about ending this addiction that is harming our kids, we need to cut off the supply. Not half measures that is," Nesbitt said during a speech from the Senate floor.

Both Nesbitt and state Senator Jonathan Lindsey, also a Republican, accused Democrats of shutting them out and not working seriously across the aisle to address children's online safety.

"There is bipartisan work being done on this issue and there are tons of opportunity to collaborate. And, instead, what we see is the majority in this chamber deciding to put politics ahead of actually fixing problems for our kids," Lindsey said during a Senate speech.

Democratic sponsors said Republicans did not come to them with any suggested changes until Wednesday, when the legislation went before the state Senate.

"I don't believe they brought us any ideas. The bills were introduced on December 17th of last year, testimony on March 4th, and voted out of committee on March 24th," state Senator Dayna Polehanki, a Democratic sponsor, told reporters after the vote.

The bills now go to the Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives, where Democratic supporters say they're open to collaboration to get the package passed.

Under the bills, social media companies and other online platforms could face maximum fines between $5,000 and $50,000, depending on which provision they violate.

The legislation would largely bar children from using social media without parental consent, block notifications to kids overnight and during the school day, and ban targeted advertising aimed at children.

Online platforms would only be allowed to store the minimum amount of personal data about children that they would need to check their age.

The bills would also give parents more control over privacy settings and hold AI companies responsible if their chatbot leads to a child being hurt.

"I will not accept anything less. I refuse to raise my children in a world where big tech profits at their expense and the expense of their friends and classmates," said Sen. Kevin Hertel, a Democratic co-sponsor.