Colorado To Restrict Kids’ Instagram, TikTok Use; Limit ‘Addictive Features’ With New Social Media Bill

Posted: April 22, 2024

An unprecedented Colorado social media bill aimed at reducing excessive SocMed use by children is set to reach the governor’s desk. The bipartisan bill, HB24-1136, introduces mandatory pop-up notifications for users under 18 after one hour of usage per day to combat the adverse mental health effects linked to prolonged social media engagement.

In a report, Senator Lisa Cutter, one of the bill’s sponsors, emphasized the urgency of addressing social media’s addictive nature, particularly among the youth, prompting politicians to push for the social media bill 2024. “Three or more hours of social media use per day doubles adolescents’ risk of poor mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety,” Cutter stated. She described the legislation as a “commonsense measure” that would empower parents and educators to manage better and mitigate the impacts of social media on teenagers, particularly the social media effects on mental health.

In addition to the pop-up notifications, this social media bill in Colorado mandates the creation of a resource bank by the Colorado Department of Education. This collection will include evidence-based research, scholarly articles, and promising program materials focused on the mental and physical health impacts of social media use. These resources are intended for use in elementary and secondary schools throughout the state.

Furthermore, the legislation calls for expanding local student wellness programs to encompass issues related to problematic technology use. This includes educational efforts to address how excessive use of technology can affect mental and physical well-being.

The bill stipulates that from Jan. 1, 2026, all social media platforms must implement these changes to ensure compliance with the new regulations, particularly implementing pop-up warnings for young users.

This legislative move reflects growing concerns about the influence of digital platforms on youth health and well-being and aims to provide tools for educators and families to help mitigate these effects. Colorado would be at the forefront of state-level efforts to regulate children’s interaction with social media if signed into law.