TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed three bills Wednesday aimed at strengthening online protections for children, addressing potentially addictive features on social media platforms and expanding research into the effects of social media on young people.
The package includes the New Jersey Kids Code Act, establishes a Social Media Research Center at a state public college or university and directs the new center to study whether warning labels and mandatory disclaimers could help reduce addictive social media behaviors among children.
The measures are part of Sherrill’s Kids’ Online Safety Agenda. The governor also established the Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness within the New Jersey Department of Health on her first day in office.
“Big Tech might have stopped politicians in Washington from holding them accountable, but they won’t stop us here in New Jersey,” said Governor Sherrill. “As a mom of four, I have seen firsthand how social media platforms can affect our kids and how often parents are left to fight this battle alone. Technology companies have designed platforms that hijack our kid’s attention spans, constantly rolling out new, addictive features that have serious negative consequences for our children’s long-term health and well-being. With these new laws, we are putting real protections in place for children online, better supporting parents across our state, and making clear that technology companies have a responsibility to put kids’ safety ahead of profits.”
The New Jersey Kids Code Act, A4015/S3413, requires certain online service providers to design products with the safety and well-being of minors in mind.
Among its provisions, the law limits the data companies can collect and retain from children, requires covered platforms to use their highest privacy settings by default for minors and establishes safeguards governing interactions between minors and adult users. It also restricts certain features designed to keep young users engaged and gives children and parents more control over some algorithmic recommendations and online interactions.
“Age-appropriate design coding requirements start from a simple proposition: if a company knows children are using its platform, it should take reasonable steps to make that platform safer for children. It’s essential that online platforms limit the use of manipulative design practices or dark patterns and adapt their services in a way that protects children and their privacy, not harms them or keeps them continuously scrolling,” said Senator Raj Mukherji. “The critical safety and privacy features required by this bill are easy to implement and answer the alarm bells being rung by pediatricians and mental health professionals nationwide.”
A second measure, A4014/S3411, establishes the Social Media Research Center at a four-year public college or university in New Jersey. The state has allocated $500,000 for the center in its fiscal 2027 budget.
The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education announced the availability of funding Wednesday and is seeking proposals to establish the center, with a goal of beginning its work this fall.
“New Jersey is home to world-class public institutions and renowned experts who lead the nation in research and innovation across several fields. With the signing of this legislation, OSHE is pleased to issue a notice of funding availability that will support the establishment of the Social Media Research Center at one of our four-year public colleges or universities,” said Acting Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly. “This Center will play a vital role in better understanding the evolving impacts of social media on our young people, helping New Jersey balance the democratizing potential of these platforms with the urgent need to protect against their harmful and addictive effects.”
The center will research the effects of social media consumption and provide recommendations to policymakers, families, educators and communities about addictive social media behaviors among children and minors.
Under the third measure, S3412/A4013, the center will also study the potential effectiveness of warning labels and mandatory disclaimers in reducing addictive social media behaviors among children.
The center is required to issue a final report containing its findings and policy recommendations within 18 months. The research is also expected to inform subsequent rulemaking by the state Department of Health.
“Social media is engrained in the everyday lives of youth today. We have a responsibility to address the health and safety risks that come with it,” said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner. “Protecting kids from platforms that encourage addictive patterns of use, expose them to harmful content, and create serious online safety concerns, like bullying, is a necessary public health strategy. These new laws put policy to practice, and I look forward to promoting safer online environments for kids in NJ.”
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the legislation also addresses children’s privacy and how technology platforms are designed.
“Children should be able to learn, connect, and explore online without having their privacy violated, their mental and physical health jeopardized, or their attention manipulated for profit,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “I thank Governor Sherrill and the Legislature for advancing this important legislation, which will help create a healthier, safer digital environment for our kids.”
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin said the measures would also give parents additional protections as they navigate their children’s use of social media.
“For something that connects us as much as social media, users today are increasingly kept from knowing the ins and outs of how these platforms are built to work, and parents carry that weight twice as much, trying to protect their child from risks they can’t even fully see,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Our children shouldn’t be forced to choose between growing up in an online world and growing up healthy, and these laws will make sure that they don’t have to. This social media bill package is good for the well-being and development of children across the State and will allow parents to worry a little bit less.”
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, a sponsor of two of the measures, said the package addresses several aspects of children’s online safety.
“For too long, parents have had to compete with multimillion dollar algorithms just to keep their kids safe,” said Assemblywoman Andrea Katz. “That’s not a fair fight, and it’s time we leveled the playing field. Protecting our children’s mental health and safety online requires more than one solution, and this package delivers that. I’m proud we got this across the finish line and New Jersey has taken a big step to put the safety of our children first in the digital world.”
