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Bill

S 3993

Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shirley Turner and 1 co-sponsor

Requires parental consent and age verification for NJ minors to use social media, restricts messaging with unlinked adults, and imposes enforcement penalties.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3993

Overview

S.3993 (NJ 222nd Legislature) introduced March 19, 2026 by Senator Vitale, with co-sponsor Senator Turner, would require age verification and parental consent for minors to use social media platforms available to New Jersey residents. It also imposes limitations on messaging between adults and minors on those platforms and creates enforcement and penalties through the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Main purpose and intent

  • To protect minors from unauthorized access and interaction on social media platforms based in New Jersey.
  • To ensure parental or guardian involvement in a minor’s use of social media.
  • To establish a state-level enforcement framework with penalties and private rights of action for noncompliance.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions:

    • Clarifies terms such as account holder, minor, New Jersey account holder, social media platform, adding (e.g., friending/following), and other related concepts.
    • Social media platform is defined as a platform with at least five million account holders worldwide and that facilitates social interaction, excluding services that are purely email or direct messaging or certain product-related activities.

  • Parental consent for minors:

    • A New Jersey minor cannot be an account holder on a social media platform unless a parent or guardian provides express consent.
    • Express consent requires the parent/guardian to provide government-issued ID and credit card information to the platform and consent to a fee not to exceed 35 cents charged to that card.

  • Age verification and access denial:

    • Social media companies must verify the age of new and existing New Jersey account holders.
    • If the platform finds the account holder is a minor, it must confirm that express parental consent has been obtained.
    • For new accounts: verification occurs at account opening.
    • For existing accounts: verification must occur within 14 days of a minor attempting to access the account.
    • If age verification is not completed within the required period, access must be denied until verification is completed.

  • Restrictions for minor accounts:

    • Direct messaging between a minor’s account and any unlinked adult user is prohibited.
    • The platform must not collect or use personal information from the minor’s posts, messages, or usage beyond what is necessary to comply with and verify compliance with the law (except for information required to verify consent, such as parent/guardian details and birth date).

  • Enforcement and penalties:

    • The Division of Consumer Affairs handles complaints, investigations, and enforcement.
    • Civil penalties may be up to $2,500 per violation.
    • The division can initiate civil actions in Superior Court, including orders, disgorgement, damages, and attorney fees.
    • Private right of action: individuals may sue a noncompliant social media company in Superior Court; potential damages include reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and either actual damages or $2,500 per violation, whichever is greater.
    • Pre-suit notice requirement: the division must provide a 30-day notice to alleged violators before enforcement actions, with cure provisions in most cases.

  • Public policy and reporting:

    • Waivers or contractual limitations cannot bar compliance with this act.
    • Annual reporting by the division to the Governor and Legislature on violations, penalties, and collections.

Affected parties and scope

  • Minors in New Jersey who are current or prospective users of social media platforms (meeting the platform’s definition of “social media platform” and having ≥5 million global account holders).
  • Parents or guardians of New Jersey minors.
  • Social media companies operating platforms accessible to New Jersey residents.
  • The Division of Consumer Affairs (enforcement and oversight).

Timeline and effective date

  • This act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Ongoing enforcement includes phased age verification and consent processes, with a 14-day verification window for existing accounts.

Potential impacts

  • Increased parental involvement in minors’ social media use.
  • Additional compliance requirements and potential costs for social media platforms (including verification processes and handling of consent data).
  • New avenues for enforcement, including civil penalties and private lawsuits.
  • Potential impact on minor online communication patterns due to restricted direct messaging with unlinked adults.

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

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