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HD 3380

An Act establishing a special legislative commission to study the use of IVRs and other strategies by social media platforms

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kim Ferguson and 3 co-sponsors

Massachusetts creates a special commission to study intermittent variable rewards and related engagement tactics on social platforms, focusing on teens, with a report in 1 year.

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Bill Summary · HD 3380

Summary: An Act establishing a special legislative commission to study the use of IVRs and other strategies by social media platforms (HD 3380)

Overview

This proposed Massachusetts bill would create a special legislative commission tasked with studying the use of intermittent variable rewards (IVRs) and related strategies by social media platforms. The study specifically highlights IVRs as potentially manipulative tools designed to extend adolescent users’ time on these platforms.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1 – Purpose of the Study
    • Establishes a special legislative commission to study the use of intermittent variable rewards and other engagement strategies by social media platforms.
    • Emphasizes the potential psychological manipulation of adolescents to prolong platform use.
  • Section 2 – Commission Composition
    • Co-chairs: the chairs of the joint committee on the judiciary (to serve as co-chairs).
    • Legislative appointments: 1 member appointed by the Speaker of the House; 1 member appointed by the President of the Senate; 1 member appointed by the House minority leader; 1 member appointed by the Senate minority leader.
    • Executive/agency appointments: the commissioner of mental health or designee; the secretary of public health or designee; the attorney general or designee.
  • Section 3 – Reporting
    • The commission must submit a report and any recommendations to the clerks of the House of Representatives and Senate no later than one year after the act’s passage.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Social media platforms operating in Massachusetts.
  • Adolescents and other platform users whose online engagement could be affected by IVR strategies.
  • State agencies involved in health and safety: Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health, and the Attorney General’s Office.
  • Legislature, which would receive the commission’s findings and recommendations.

Timeline and Procedural Details

  • Status: Classified as a proposed bill (HD 3380) with a bill filed in January 2025. The user-supplied intro date (November 29, 2025) may reflect a later development or reporting status; the bill text references filing on 1/17/2025.
  • Timeline: If enacted, the commission would complete its work and deliver a report within 1 year of passage.

Implications

  • The bill seeks to inform potential policy or legislative actions related to platform design and adolescent well-being by systematically examining IVRs and related strategies.
  • It does not specify regulatory measures within the act itself but would provide a structured, evidence-based basis for future action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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