State Senate skips social media ban, targets addictive design instead

The Massachusetts State Senate has introduced legislation aimed at curbing the addictive features of social media platforms rather than implementing a total ban for younger users. Bill S.3164 proposes mandatory default settings for minors that restrict algorithmic feeds, infinite scrolling, and late-night notifications. This approach seeks to address the youth mental health crisis while maintaining digital access for vulnerable communities who rely on online networks for support.

The proposed legislation, S.3164, mandates that social media platforms implement default settings for users under 18 to limit features such as autoplay, infinite scroll, and algorithmic content delivery. Under the bill, platforms must send a usage reminder after one cumulative hour of use within a 24-hour period, followed by additional alerts every 30 minutes. Furthermore, the bill requires that notifications be automatically disabled between midnight and 6 a.m. to prevent sleep disruption. Minors would be prohibited from overriding these safety settings, though adults could choose to opt into them.

State Senator Julian Cyr and Senator Cindy Creem, the bill's sponsors, framed the legislation as a way to return social media to its original purpose as a networking tool rather than an "addictive rabbit hole." This design-focused approach stands in contrast to a version passed by the Massachusetts House, which sought to ban children under 14 from platforms entirely and required parental consent for those aged 14 and 15. Senate leaders argued that a total ban could harm LGBTQ+ youth and other marginalized groups who depend on the internet for community and resources. The Senate's version aims to balance safety with First Amendment rights and digital connectivity.

Regarding data privacy and age verification, the bill directs the state attorney general to establish verification methods that do not rely exclusively on government-issued IDs, ensuring users can remain anonymous. The legislation also includes strict data protections, such as defaulting to disabled geolocation sharing and limiting direct messaging for minors to their established connections. To complement these regulatory changes, the state's fiscal 2027 budget includes $2 million for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fund school grants for social media safety curriculum. This multi-faceted approach aims to educate students on healthy digital habits while forcing platforms to abandon manipulative design practices.