BREAKING: @New Jersey Gov Sherrill just signed several bills focused on kids’ online safety.


The goal is to put more responsibility on tech companies.

One of the biggest pieces is the NJ Kids Code Act, which changes how online platforms can design their products for kids.

That includes stronger privacy and safety settings by default, limits on notifications during school and overnight hours, and restrictions on certain data and design practices.


New Jersey is also creating a Social Media Research Center (estimated to be running by early Fall) to study how social media affects kids, make recommendations and develop resources and training around social media use.


This is part of a wider shift where states are starting to ask more of the platforms v relying on parental controls.

#onlinesafety #digitalparenting #newjersey #privacy #kidsafety

8/11 Edited to

... Read moreAs a parent navigating the digital age, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is for online platforms to prioritize children’s safety. New Jersey’s recent signing of the NJ Kids Code Act marks a promising shift toward holding technology companies accountable for the environments they create for young users. This law enforces stronger privacy and safety settings by default, helps limit disruptive notifications during school and nighttime hours, and curtails questionable data handling and design methods aimed at kids. What excites me most is the establishment of the Social Media Research Center. From my perspective, this center could become a vital resource, offering evidence-based insights and support tools that help families manage children’s social media use effectively. Tracking how social media impacts mental health, attention spans, and social development will empower caregivers with knowledge rather than relying solely on parental controls. In my experience, many parents feel overwhelmed by the complexity of digital risks. Legislation like New Jersey’s Kids Code Act can relieve some of that pressure by creating safer default environments online. It represents an important progression from previous approaches that depended largely on parental monitoring to proactive responsibility by platforms themselves. If other states follow this example, we could see a broader movement ensuring that kids’ online spaces are more secure, private, and mindful of their well-being across America. For those of us deeply engaged in digital parenting, these initiatives are encouraging steps toward balancing technology’s benefits with protecting young users.