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Bill

S 4035

Prohibits social media platforms from using certain practices or features that cause child users to become addicted to platform.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Vitale

New Jersey bill S 4035 bans social media platforms from using addictive design features targeting child users, addressing mental health concerns but raising enforcement and First Amendment questions.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
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Bill Summary · S 4035

Legislative bill overview

S 4035 would prohibit social media platforms from deploying addictive design features targeting child users in New Jersey. The bill targets specific engagement mechanisms—likely infinite scroll, algorithmic recommendation systems, notification badges, and other dark patterns—that research suggests exploit psychological vulnerabilities in developing brains.

Why is this important

Social media addiction in minors correlates with increased rates of anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and body image issues according to major health organizations. This bill represents a state-level attempt to regulate platform design practices that federal legislation has not yet addressed, potentially setting precedent for other states and pressuring platforms to redesign features nationwide.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional challenges: "Addiction" and "addictive practices" lack precise legal definitions; enforcement could be inconsistent or vulnerable to legal challenge on vagueness grounds
  • First Amendment concerns: Platforms may argue algorithmic recommendations and engagement features constitute protected speech, requiring careful legal construction
  • Implementation burden: Determining which features qualify as "addictive" requires subjective judgment; compliance costs could disadvantage smaller platforms
  • Jurisdiction limits: Out-of-state platforms can argue difficulty in tailoring content by state; effectiveness depends on whether federal action follows
  • User choice vs. mandate: Doesn't address parental controls or user agency; relies entirely on restricting platform design rather than individual choice

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

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