Legislation Could Change Social Media Use For Michigan Teens Passes Senate

Social Media has completely changed the way that we live life in both good and bad ways. One of the advantages of social media is being able to make connections with people from all over the world while also having the opportunity to update your loved ones and others that are near and dear to your heart. Although there are tons of other advantages to social platforms there are several disadvantages as well.

One of those disadvantages is that anyone can make a social media platform and can make connections with anyone else. Although there are age restrictions, they aren't the most strict and have plenty of loopholes available to bypass them. This leaves children and teens susceptible to being victims of predators and other scams on social media. Since this has become a steady concern over the years, lawmakers are trying to implement policies that would keep children and teens safe while they are on the internet.

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Teens of the world today have no clue what a world without social media looks like as they have always had Musically, TikTok, Vine, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. Since they were old enough to hold an electronic device and comprehend how to operate it, they have been using social media. Parents are rightfully concerned about all the dangers that can be on the internet and the Senate wants to ease their minds.

Read More: Can Minors Legally Drink With Their Parents at a Restaurant in Michigan?

The Michigan senate passed legislation on Tuesday, June 30th that is designed to keep minors safe while they use social media and other online platforms. The policy passed through the Senate with flying colors as the vote was 91-3 but it is unclear whether the House will take up the bill or not. The law is made of two bills, the Kids Online Safety Act and Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act.

Kids Online Safety Act

If this bill is passed would require social media and other internet platforms to provide the following things for minors who use their services:

• safeguards for minors
• restricting access to minors’ personal data and
• providing parents with tools to supervise minors’ such as control of privacy and account settings
• limits on features that encourage children and teens to stay on the platform longer like rewards for time spent on the platform and notifications
• provide minors with easily accessible options to delete their account or personal data
• options to limit the amount of time they spend on them.

Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act

This is the other bill that would be a part of the law and it says that social media platforms must intensify their protections surrounding the online collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of children and teens, including allowing minors the opportunity to delete their personal data. The bill also bans social media platforms from sending targeted advertisements to minors.

The targeted advertisements piece is an extension of social media platforms not being able to collect data from minors including their search history which is where most targeted advertisements receive their data. This also includes any advertisements that would encourage minors to buy or participate in narcotic drugs, tobacco products, gambling, or alcohol. The age for the collection of search history has risen from 13 to 17 as well.

If the bill were to be broken parents, minors, and school officials would all be able to submit reports if a minor is harmed on their platform, meaning each social media site will need to brainstorm, plan, and implement a response process for these situations. If things get that far, KOSA would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general could also bring civil actions if there are violations in their states.