Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a bill aimed at regulating how online social media platforms interact with children, but its provisions are similar to state law provisions that have been blocked by federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. There is.
The bill passed 105-95 along mostly party lines, with 10 Republicans voting yes and a majority of Democrats voting yes, and seven Democrats voting yes and a majority of Republicans voting yes. The majority voted against it.
It faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled state Senate, and the U.S. Supreme Court could soon decide whether state-level provisions like the one in the bill can be enforced.
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The bill would require social media platforms to allow users to report “hateful behavior” such as intimidation and bullying, and to publish policies on how to respond to such reports. Users under the age of 18 are also required to obtain parental consent, and users under the age of 18 are prohibited from “data mining,” meaning finding specific information or gaining insight into patterns or habits. Platforms would be prohibited from sifting through user data.
Sponsor Rep. Brian Munro, D-Bucks, said the bill’s concepts are not new, and include age-related restrictions the government has placed on movies, driving, drinking and smoking, as well as required parental permission. Said to be similar to. For field trips, school sports, etc.
“Time and time again, we look at exposure to potentially harmful activities, act in the best interests of children, and say, ‘Not at that age, not without parental OK.’ Munro told his colleagues during a floor debate.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol on December 16, 2021 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Munro said parents and children are asking for such regulations.
The Washington-based Computer and Communications Industry Association, whose members include Google, owner of YouTube, and Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, said the bill, called House Bill of 2017, has no objections. It noted similarities with the laws of other states being challenged. In court.
“While the goal of protecting young users is laudable, HB2017 risks eroding young users’ ability to access and participate in open online expression, cutting off access to supportive communities,” the association said in a statement. There is a possibility that it will.” “There are also significant data privacy and security concerns related to the data collection required to verify a user’s age and the minor’s relationship with a parent/legal guardian.”
California-based Meta already has parental monitoring tools and other measures in place to ensure teens have an age-appropriate experience online, and to filter harmful content. He said that the algorithm is used.
The bill’s “hateful acts” provision is based on a 2022 New York state law that was blocked in federal court.
Last year, Utah became the first state to pass a law requiring minors to get parental consent before using social media. The law is being challenged in federal court by industry group NetChoice.
Last year, a federal judge also ruled against an Arkansas law that requires parental consent for children to create social media accounts and that allows tech companies to profile children and potentially harm them physically or mentally. It blocked a California law that prohibited the use of personal information.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case arising from legal challenges to state laws in Florida and Texas that seek to regulate Facebook, TikTok, X and other social media platforms.
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Although the details of the two laws differ, both aimed to prevent social media companies from censoring users based on their views.
