(BOSTON 7/10/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate stood up to big social media companies yesterday by passing legislation that reins in how their platforms’ most addictive features target young people. The bill, S.3164 – An Act protecting children from addictive social media feeds, was unanimously advanced by the Senate Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity in July 2025, chaired by Second Worcester District Senator Michael Moore.
The bill cracks down on settings that are engineered to keep minors perpetually on social media platforms at the expense of the health and wellbeing of users. Features such as autoplay, ‘infinite scroll,’ and intrusive algorithms that capitalize on users’ personal data would be turned off by default for minors. Minors would not be able to change those default settings, while adult users would retain control over their own settings.
“Trillion-dollar social media companies are preying on our kids’ developing brains by building addictive algorithms and unhealthy features meant to keep them from logging off. These manipulative techniques, many borrowed from companies that build slot machines, are intentionally designed to create lifelong users who Silicon Valley can sell ads to without any regard for the child’s mental health,” said Senator Moore (D-Millbury). “With the passage of this legislation, we are making it clear that these greedy corporations will no longer put their bottom line over the health and well-being of Massachusetts’ kids. I’m proud to have worked with lead sponsor Senator Cynthia Stone Creem alongside my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity to strengthen this bill’s protections, ensuring that social media platforms operate with safety at the forefront. It is incredibly important that Beacon Hill is taking these important steps for our children, and I look forward to going even further to protect the people of the Commonwealth from Big Tech’s greed with the landmark Massachusetts Data Privacy Act.”
Studies have linked prolonged daily social media use to increased depression and anxiety in children.
The legislation includes added optional safeguards for children, such as limits on the ability of ‘non-friend’ accounts – strangers – to contact minors’ accounts.
Senators voted during debate to adopt an amendment (Amendment 24) that adds mandatory protection for minors’ precise location data. As amended, the bill now requires that social media platforms cannot allow minor children to share their precise locations with others.
“This legislation sends a clear message that children’s wellbeing must come before social media companies’ bottom line,” said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton). “Features like autoplay, infinite scroll, and algorithm-driven feeds are intentionally designed to keep young people online for as long as possible, often at the expense of their mental health. This bill takes thoughtful steps to create a safer online experience for children while protecting privacy and free speech. I’m grateful to Senate President Spilka for her leadership and to everyone whose partnership helped bring us to this moment. I’m proud the Senate has acted on this important issue, and I look forward to continuing our work to protect children online.”
The bill was open to a public feedback process last year by the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity. It was unanimously advanced with a favorable recommendation on July 24th, 2025.
“Big Tech companies have for decades lobbied to ensure that they remain unaccountable for the harm they inflict on our youth – but here in the Commonwealth, a reckoning for has arrived,” Senator Moore added.
Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.
The Senate passed the bill on a 38-2 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
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