Nebraskans under the age of 18 would need parental permission to open a social media account under a new proposal introduced by State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman. The measure, part of the Parental Rights in Social Media Act, was one of four bills promoted Monday by Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers in a press conference focused on protecting children from online risks and addictive technology.
Storer likened parental consent for social media access to that required for a child to get their ears pierced, emphasizing that parents should have tools to safeguard their children online. The proposed law would require social media companies to verify users’ ages and secure parental consent for minors creating accounts, with violations incurring fines of $2,500 per offense.
The bill is modeled on a Florida law but is less restrictive, as it would not require existing accounts to be deleted. Storer described the measure as empowering parents to monitor their children’s online activity, rather than outright banning access.
In addition, State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue introduced LB 140, which would require school boards to establish policies restricting cellphone use during school hours to create a distraction-free learning environment. The proposal allows exceptions for emergencies or health-related needs and would take effect before the next school year.
Another measure, LB 172, from State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, seeks to criminalize computer-generated child pornography, including material created through artificial intelligence or digital manipulation. Violations would be considered felony offenses, equipping law enforcement with tools to combat such exploitation.
State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln plans to introduce the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act, which would require social media companies to prioritize child safety in their platform design. This legislation aims to prevent compulsive usage, psychological harm, and privacy violations while giving parents tools to manage their children’s online presence.
Gov. Pillen and Attorney General Hilgers underscored the urgency of addressing online dangers, with Hilgers noting the unique pressures faced by today’s youth in the digital age. “Some of the biggest threats to children originate online,” he said, advocating for swift action to protect Nebraska’s children.
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