Consolidated Amendment "B" to S2581
Consolidated B
Fiscal Note: $0
Amendments: 2, 4, 5, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29
Mr. Michlewitz of Boston and others move to amend H.5349 in section 3 by inserting after the word “platform.”, in line 142, the following 2 definitions:-
“Addictive social media feed”, the presentation of content to users where the social media platform employs algorithms that analyze user data or information on users to select content for users and includes any of the following addictive features:
(i) infinite scrolling, which shall include: (A) continuously loading content, or content that loads as the user scrolls down the page without the need to open a separate page; and (B) seamless content, or the use of pages with no visible or apparent end or page breaks;
(ii) push notifications or alerts sent by the social media platform to inform a user about specific activities or events related to the user’s account;
(iii) displays of personal interactive metrics that indicate the number of times other users have clicked a button to indicate their reaction to a user’s content or have shared or reposted the user’s content;
(iv) content generated by an algorithm based on a user’s activity on the social media platform; or
(v) auto-play video or video that begins to play without the user first clicking on the video or on a play button for that video.
“Connected account”, an account on a social media platform that is directly connected to the user’s account, including, but not limited to, a friend, follower or similar connection with access to view the user’s content.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “minor.”, in line 143, the following definition:-
“Push notification”, an automatic electronic message displayed on a user’s personal electronic device, as defined in section 40 of chapter 69, when the social media platform is not actively open or visible on the personal electronic device that prompts the user to check and engage with the social media platform.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “the”, in line 160, the second time it appears, the following words:- age assurance or verification system.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “the”, in line 162, the first time it appears, the following words:- age assurance or verification system.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “user.”, in line 162, the following words:- No social media platform shall provide data other than what was submitted for the purposes of verifying the age of the user to any parent.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “the”, in line 174, the following words:- age assurance or verification system.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “the”, in line 176, the third time it appears, the following words:- age assurance or verification system.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “user.”, in line 177, the following words and 4 paragraphs:- No social media platform shall provide data other than what was submitted for the purposes of verifying the age of the user.
(4) A social media company shall, for users who are 14 or 15 years of age, set default safety settings to prioritize the health and wellness of users 14 and 15 years of age to ensure an age appropriate experience on the social media platform, including, but not limited to, safety settings that shall:
(i) restrict the visibility of the account of a user 14 or 15 years of age to connected accounts;
(ii) require age verification to change user settings;
(iii) require age verification to access sensitive content, including age-restricted content on a social media feed and messages;
(iv) only allow a user who is 14 or 15 years of age to share content to connected accounts; and
(v) restrict direct messaging capabilities for a user who is 14 or 15 years of age to only allow direct messaging to connected accounts.
(5) To protect the health and wellness of a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age, including, but not limited to, mental and behavioral health, a social media platform shall prohibit a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age from being a user of an addictive social media feed.
(6) To protect the health and wellness of a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age, including, but not limited to, mental and behavioral health, no social media platform shall send notifications to a minor who is 14 or 15 years of age between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. eastern standard time.
(7) No social media platform shall withhold, degrade, lower the quality or increase the price of any product, service or feature to a user who is 14 or 15 years of age due to the social media platform not being permitted to provide an addictive social media feed to the user.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “platform.”, in line 194, the following subsection:-
(d) No social media platform shall share any data related to a minor user and their LGBTQ+ protected status or any other protected status pursuant to chapter 151B.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by inserting after the word “chapter”, in line 212, the following words:- , including, but not limited to, the definition of “social media platform” as defined in section 1. The attorney general shall annually review the definition of “social media platform” to ensure that the definition includes public websites, online services, online applications or mobile applications with features that are harmful to the health and wellness of minors age 15 and under.
And moves to further amend the bill in said section 3 by adding the following section:-
Section 7. The office of the attorney general shall maintain on its website an online submission platform to receive complaints, information or referrals from members of the public concerning a social media platform’s alleged compliance or non-compliance with this chapter.