LANSING – Michigan Kids Code advocates rallied for youth online safety today and testified to the Senate Finance, Insurance, And Consumer Protection Committee in support of the Kids Over Clicks legislative package, which includes the Michigan Kids Code.
“When my daughter London opened social media accounts under the age of 13 and searched for harmless things — like alligator skin boots — platforms quickly built profiles of her, exploited her data, hooked her attention, and led her down dangerous rabbit holes to self-harm and suicidal material,” said Michigan parent advocate Charay Gadd, whose 12-year-old daughter London died by suicide in 2024. “London was exposed to harmful content through social media and addictive AI-powered algorithmic feeds in ways I could not see in real time. Kids Over Clicks prohibits these kinds of harmful designs that put London and countless children across Michigan at risk for harm, and that’s why I urge every legislator who cares about children to put our kids’ safety ahead of Big Tech profits.”
Advocates who testified at today’s hearing in support of the Michigan Kids Code including leading medical professionals and policy experts were joined by parent advocates as well as youth advocates representing Michigan Student Turnout Project and the Young People’s Alliance. Video of Wednesday’s committee hearing may be viewed here.
The Kids Over Clicks package includes:
The Kids Code Act (Senate Bills 758–759), introduced by Senator Kevin Hertel and Senator Stephanie Chang, would mandate stricter data privacy and safety settings for minors by default on digital platforms while also giving parents more control over their children’s online accounts.
The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act (Senate Bill 757), introduced by Senator Darrin Camilleri, would prohibit social media platforms from providing addictive, personal data-driven feeds to minors without parental consent.
The Leading Ethical AI Development (LEAD) for Kids Act (Senate Bill 760), introduced by Senator Dayna Polehanki, would ensure that dangerous AI companion chatbots are inaccessible to children, including those that have the capability to encourage harmful, explicit, or illegal activities.
A committee vote is expected in the hearing as soon as next week. To learn more about the Michigan Kids Code, visit https://kidscodecoalition.org/michigan/.
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