Kids Code Coalition Applauds 2025 Legislative Introductions in States Across the Country

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: press@kidscodecoalition.org

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Kids Code Coalition is today applauding the introduction of age-appropriate design code legislation in states across the country for 2025 legislative sessions. As Maryland’s 2024 Kids Code comes into effect, an increasing number of state leaders are spearheading similar legislation, seizing the opportunity to make a real difference for kids with a design-centered approach to addressing the ongoing, social-media-linked youth mental health crisis.

State lawmakers are leading the way on kids’ online safety after Congress failed to pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act in the final weeks of last session. The parent advocates who have driven change are tired of federal inaction and encouraged by successes at the state level. Meanwhile, tech companies continue to make the case for regulation by removing basic safeguards and exposing kids to a constantly-growing spectrum of dangers and harms.

Nebraska Senator Carolyn Bosn, sponsor of LB504, the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, which will be heard by the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee this afternoon, said: “Nebraskans refuse to stand by while tech companies recklessly expose young people to unacceptable, avoidable risks. The Age-Appropriate Design Code Act offers us the chance to protect young people online by requiring tech companies to implement privacy-by-default and safety-by-design protections, which is why it has earned the Governor’s support.”

Illinois Senator Sue Rezin, sponsor of SB50, the Illinois Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, said: “I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to protect kids as part of my ‘Safe Screens, Healthy Minds’ initiative, which intends to address the harmful effects that social media platforms have on young, developing minds, and to hold social media platforms accountable for deceptive practices.”

South Carolina Representatives Brandon Guffey, sponsor of H.3402, the South Carolina Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, said: “As a father, I am outraged that Big Tech companies purposely design their products to keep kids on screens, track their activity, and then monetize that data to increase profits – no matter the cost to kids’ mental health or South Carolina families’ wellbeing. I’ve reintroduced the South Carolina Kids Code to change the unacceptable status quo and hold these companies accountable.”

Vermont Representative Monique Priestley, sponsor of the forthcoming Vermont Kids Code, said: “Every day, I continue hearing serious concern from families, medical experts, and educators about the dangers kids face in today’s digital world. The Vermont Kids Code would require Big Tech to implement basic protections for kids as well as hold them accountable if they choose to put a child’s well-being at risk, and this year we’re going to make it law.”

Michigan Representative Carol Glanville, sponsor of the forthcoming Michigan Kids Code, said: “As a former educator, I know how critical it is for kids to grow in safe, supportive environments designed with their developmental needs in mind. That’s why I will be proud to reintroduce the Michigan Kids Code this session to build the kind of online world our kids deserve.”

New Mexico Representative Pamelya Herndon, sponsor of the forthcoming New Mexico Internet Privacy and Safety Act, which will incorporate elements of last year’s New Mexico Kids Code bill, said: “Passing this age-appropriate design code legislation is another step toward keeping the children in New Mexico safe from online dangers that can affect them for the rest of their lives. In New Mexico, we take pride in growing our own, and this bill offers our children the opportunity to grow in a safe, supportive environment.” 

Maryland Kids Code sponsor Delegate Jared Solomon, whose bill was signed into law last year, becoming the first age-appropriate design code in the nation to come into effect, said: “We are proud to see states across the country following Maryland’s lead in passing common-sense legislation to improve online experiences for kids by targeting product design. This law will make a positive difference for kids in our state and around the nation.”

The Kids Code Coalition is a wide-ranging group of national and state organizations dedicated to improving youth online security and privacy by supporting policies that ensure companies prioritize kids’ and teens’ safety and developmental needs when designing digital platforms and products.

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