New Jersey Governor signs laws to protect children online

Governor Mikie Sherrill has signed three bills in New Jersey aimed at enhancing online protections for children and addressing the impact of social media on youth mental health. The legislative package, part of the Kids’ Online Safety Agenda, includes the New Jersey Kids Code Act.

The Kids Code Act requires online service providers to design products with the safety of minors in mind. Key provisions include limiting the data companies can collect from children, mandating the highest privacy settings by default for minors, and establishing safeguards for interactions between minors and adult users. Failure to comply with these protocols may leave companies vulnerable to lawsuits.

Additionally, the legislation establishes a Social Media Research Center at a state public college or university to study the relationship between digital technology and children’s well-being. The governor also created the Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness within the New Jersey Department of Health.