New Illinois law aims to rein in 'snake oil' social media apps getting kids hooked on scrolling
<p>TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and other Big Tech giants will be required to strengthen privacy settings for minors under new Illinois legislation that seeks to crack down on addictive social media designs that keep kids scrolling for hours on end.</p><p>The Children’s Social Media Safety Act, signed into law Friday by Gov. JB Pritzker, takes aim at addictive algorithms that can glue young people to their phones to the detriment of their mental health.</p><p>“They feed our kids an unrealistic picture of life and sell them products and agendas to achieve it,” Pritzker said at a South Side bill-signing.
Reported by 1 outlet — Chicago Sun-Times. See all sources ↓
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Children’s Social Media Safety Act into law. The law requires apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram to strengthen privacy settings for users under 18. It also targets design features that encourage endless scrolling, which experts say can harm young people's mental health. Supporters hope the law will reduce addictive use and protect children online.
Why it matters
Parents and educators worry about how much time children spend on social media and its effects on well-being. This law could change how popular apps operate and may set an example for other states.
- What is the name of the new Illinois law?
- It is called the Children’s Social Media Safety Act.
- Which apps must change their settings under the law?
- TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and other major social media platforms must improve privacy for minors.
- Why did officials create this law?
- Officials say addictive scrolling designs can hurt children's mental health and they want to limit that risk.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
All outlets frame the story similarly, focusing on the law’s goal to limit addictive designs and protect minors.
- Coverage card1 outlet1CoverageScouting report
New Illinois law aims to rein in 'snake oil' social media apps getting kids hooked on scrolling
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times