Acting N.J. attorney general joins bipartisan coalition urging Congress to pass Kids Online Safety Act
TRENTON, N.J. — Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced she has joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general urging Congressional leadership to pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act, S.1748, to strengthen protections for children online.
In a letter to Congress, the coalition emphasized the urgency of federal action as scrutiny of social media companies intensifies and evidence grows regarding the harmful effects of addictive design features on children and teens.
The effort reflects what state officials described as New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to protecting minors in digital spaces. The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has brought enforcement actions against major technology companies, including Meta, TikTok and Discord, alleging practices that target or harm children.
“Big Tech has made billions profiting off addictive features and algorithms that have severe negative mental health consequences for our children. They have hooked an entire generation of kids onto apps that lack basic privacy and safety safeguards, turning what were once promised as platforms for building friendships and staying connected into systems that profit from harm. As a parent, that is unacceptable,” said Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “As Governor, it is my job to protect the children of our state from online harm and exploitation. I urge Congress to take swift action to better protect our kids online in a way that supports states, because New Jersey will continue to hold anyone who threatens the well-being of our kids accountable.”
Davenport echoed that call, stressing the need for federal legislation that preserves states’ authority to enforce their own protections.
“As a mom, I understand the grip that social media platforms hold over our children. And as New Jersey’s chief law enforcement officer, I am horrified by how the actions of some of our largest tech companies have left kids vulnerable to predators, excessive usage, and more,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “There is no excuse: Congress must take immediate action to protect our kids online, and it must do so in a way that preserves the authority of states to take action too. I am committed to doing everything in my power to lead the fight for our kids using every tool we’ve got.”
The attorneys general expressed support for the Senate version of the legislation while raising concerns about the House version, H.R. 6484. According to the letter, the House proposal would preempt certain state laws aimed at protecting children online and remove the “Duty of Care” provision included in the Senate bill. That provision would require companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to minors.
The Senate version, the coalition wrote, does not impede states’ efforts and would require online platforms to implement stronger safeguards to protect children from harm.
In addition to New Jersey, the letter was signed by attorneys general from Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio and Tennessee, which sponsored the effort, along with American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Wyoming.
