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HB 1083

PROPERTY-GENDER NEUTRAL

104th Regular Session Introduced by Laura Faver Dias and 8 co-sponsors

The Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act aimed to protect minors online by enforcing safety standards for platforms, limiting targeted ads, and requiring parental consent.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0040
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1083

Summary of House Bill 1083: Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act

Bill Number: HB 1083
Introduced: January 13, 2025
Status: Withdrawn by Author on March 11, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act was introduced to enhance the safety of minors using online platforms. The bill aimed to establish guidelines and responsibilities for online platforms that cater to children, ensuring that their mental health and safety are prioritized in the digital environment.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant provisions, including:

  1. Definitions:

    • Child: Defined as an individual who is twelve (12) years of age or younger.
    • Covered Platform: An online platform, messaging application, or video streaming service targeted at minors.
    • Compulsive Usage: Behavior that leads to psychological distress or loss of control due to excessive online engagement.

  2. Duty of Care:

    • Covered platforms would be required to implement reasonable measures to prevent harm to minors. This includes designing products and services that minimize risks associated with their use.

  3. Advertising Restrictions:

    • The bill sought to regulate individual-specific advertising to minors, limiting targeted marketing based on personal data or psychological profiling.

  4. Parental Involvement:

    • The act emphasized the importance of verifiable parental consent for any data collection or marketing directed at minors.

  5. Effective Date:

    • The act was proposed to take effect on July 1, 2026, should it have been enacted.

Impact

The Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act would have affected:
- Online Platforms: Companies operating services that are accessible to minors would need to comply with new safety standards.
- Minors: Enhanced protections for children using the internet, aimed at reducing risks associated with online interactions.
- Parents and Guardians: Increased responsibilities for parents to monitor and consent to their children's online activities.

Legislative Actions

  • The bill underwent several amendments and was reported correctly engrossed multiple times throughout February 2025.
  • Ultimately, the bill was withdrawn by the author on March 11, 2025, before any further legislative action could take place.

Conclusion

While the Arkansas Kids Online Safety Act aimed to address critical issues surrounding children's safety online, its withdrawal means that these proposed protections will not be implemented at this time. The discussions surrounding the bill highlight ongoing concerns about the impact of digital environments on youth mental health and safety.

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

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