AI Frontier Institute

Certain social media algorithms targeting children prohibition provision

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Minnesota S.F. No. 1528 (the "Stop Online Targeting Against Kids Act" or "SOTA Kids Act") has not been enacted. It was introduced 02/17/2025 and referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee. If enacted, it would add Minn. Stat. section 325M.35. Under subd. 2, a social media platform with more than 1,000,000 account holders globally that operates in Minnesota could not use a social media algorithm to target user-generated content at an account holder who is under 18 and located in Minnesota. The bill defines the algorithm as software that prioritizes content using engagement-based recommendation features (subd. 1). Platforms could still show content in chronological order, show content the minor has selected or followed (if chronological), and return search results in response to the minor's immediately preceding query (subd. 2(a)(1)-(3)). Platforms would have to obtain verifiable parental consent before a Minnesota minor opens a new account (subd. 2(b)). Subd. 3 exempts parental-control and age-appropriateness filtering tools, internal platform controls on minors' access, government-created content, and school or university content used for educational purposes. Under subd. 4, a platform that knew or had reason to know the user was a Minnesota minor would be liable to that account holder for general or special damages, a $1,000 statutory penalty per violation (capped at $100,000 per account holder per calendar year), and any other penalties available under law. The effective date would be January 1, 2026.

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