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Big Tech threatens Our Kids; NJ Steps Up

By: Governor Mikie Sherrill
Your Turn
Guest columnist

..... Washington has failed protect our kids from Big Tech. New Jersey is steeping up.
..... I'm, a mom of four kids, ages 14 to 20. for yeas, I've watch as Big Tech launched platforms designed to hijack their attention. the typical American teen spends about 35 hours a week on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube - essentially a full time job. And it's wrecking their mental health.
..... I also serve seven years in Congress, so Ive seen Washington repeatedly fail to protect kids Online. In 2024, Big Tech's lobbyists killed a bipartisan kids' Online safety bill in he House after it passed the Senate 91-3. Politicians talk thought in hearings, but they've effectively let social media giants off the hook.

Yes, Big Tech is worse than Big Tobacco

..... Big Tech isn't just the Big Tobacco of our ear; it's worse. It's platforms have driven eating disorders, overdoses and suicides. But that barely scratches the surface. when it comes to measuring social media's impact, Bit Tech holds most of the cards. it keeps using data under lock and key, depriving us of the told we need to force accountability.
..... Meta, for example, reportedly shut down research showing users felt happier and less alone after quitting their ;platforms. These companies' main concern is their bottom lie, and they'll rig studies and bury results to protect it.
..... "We can't afford to wait another election cycle,, another Congress or another decade for politicians in Washington to get their act together. Stats have to act now.

How we're stepping up to protect our kids

..... In my campaign for governor, I rolled out one of the country's most comprehensive Online safety agendas. one of its core pillars was a soc la media observatory, designed to break Big Tech's data monopoly and build the foundation for stronger lawsuits and legislation. We aim to give power back to families, instead of letting it concentrate in Silicon Valley.
..... Over the past seven months, New Jersey has made good on that mission.
..... On day one, I established a new office to coordinate our state's efforts to keep kids safe Online. Social media touches every aspect of kids' lives - from their academic performance to their mental health. We need agencies working together to chart our response to Bit Tech.
..... I've also worked with our legislature to set up that Social Media Research Center. It launches in October. [2026] Our center will conduct rigorous, independent research hat counters Big Tech's marking narratives. And it'll organize trainings to help families stay on the cutting edge of technology.
..... But the biggest challenge lies in these platforms' design.
..... Big Tech has optimized for the wrong things: screen time, data collection and engagement. We can't blame the damage it has done on a glitch in its code. The platforms are working intended, to our kids' detriment.
..... These companies rolled out safety features to deflect responsibility to parents. But saddling parents with the burden of policing their platforms defies logic. We don't leave families to fend for themselves on there roads: we set speed limits and design school zones, so kids get around safely. We need rules of the road for social media.
..... So, I signed the Kids Code Act, which sets the nation's strongest safety and privacy design standards for social media platforms.
..... The law requires companies to rebuild their platforms with kids' best interests in mind. From now on, these platforms must restrict features designed to keep kids constantly engaged and default their accounts to the highest privacy settings. Big Tech can't bombard our kids with notifications at school or market drugs and alcohol to them. And it has to give parents and kids control over their algorithms. We're forcing companies to reclaim responsibility.
..... This law has teeth. It authorizes the state and families to take social media companies to court when they fail to protect our kids Online. The time for half measures is over.

Big Tech is feeling the pressure from New Jersey. here's how

..... Because of our work, Big Tech is feeling the pressure. Meta agreed to a $17 billion settlement - including more than $500 million for New Jersey - to resolve a lawsuit over the addictive design of its platforms. As part of that settlement, Meta will start overhauling its platforms, introducing usage limits for teenagers and stronger safeguards against bullying.
..... "we're not stopping here. New Jersey will keep forcing these companies to clean up there mess. And wit the help of our Social Mada Research Center, we'll have the evidence to keep winning in court.
..... During my time in the U.S. Navy, I learned that in a crisis, you either lead, follow or get out of the way, If the federal government can't lead on protecting our kids Online, New Jersey will.

.... Mikie Sherrill,a Democrat, is the 57th governor of New Jersey.

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