HF0048 SF1528 is in Rules Committee at position 18.
Essays
Essay
My bill HF 0048 or better known as the SOTA Kids Act aims to prohibit social media algorithms that target children. This means that algorithms will only suggest content based on engagement (likes, follows) from a user and will no longer recommend added content. In addition to having filtered out algorithms, people who are under 18 can only have accounts with parental knowledge. To set up an account would require the permission of a parent or guardian. This bill was introduced to help children better navigate social media and to prevent unsolicited content that could potentially be harmful to their mental and physical health. This is also to prevent platforms from benefitting off of the engagement of children on social media. The SOTA kids act is meant to protect children from being exploited and exposed to content that can be damaging to their development.
Exposure to harmful ideas or actions is a danger that children are at risk for when using social media. A lot of the unrelated content that the algorithm suggests can misinform and encourage harmful ideas that influence behaviors and actions. In addition to this the algorithms themselves can be extremely addicting. They can often bombard you with this type of content and it can be challenging to detach or remove it from your recommendations. This is mainly because these algorithms main function is to recommend content regardless of minimal engagement or because it's related to the content you consume. These algorithms can also have benefits like helping adolescent racial minorities and LGBTQ+ find community and connections that can be of support to them. It can also provide a safe space for kids and teens to talk about experiences and with these content engagements it can be easy to find these spaces. The SOTA act works to protect these safe spaces and to prevent any unsolicited or unsafe content by modifying these algorithms.
This idea is expanded on when discussing the effects of social media algorithms on body image issues and its connection to eating disorder culture. One of the leading causes of body image issues or dysmorphia is algorithms as they can contribute to mental deterioration by producing more content entirely focused on appearance, exercise and dieting. Doing this can encourage comparisons, body dissatisfaction or body image stress along with actual symptom use of eating disorders. Algorithms can present unrealistic standards in both eating and self-image that can worsen the perception of one’s body. In an article by Kirsten Weir called “Social media brings benefits and risks to teens. Psychology can help identify a path forward,” it used an example like eating disorders. It claims, “‘[t]hese kids often reported that they started by watching something relatively benign, like exercise videos,” she said. But their social media algorithms doubled down on that content, offering up more and more material related to body image and weight.’ ‘It was an echo chamber,’ McCabe added.” Continuously being shown content like this can manifest thoughts and symptoms that can be attributed to negative body image and unhealthy eating patterns.
Another common occurrence of this is unsolicited content influencing the influx of hate speech or political radicalization on social media. Extremism and radicalization are predominantly in circulation with the rise of social media platforms, in this context the ideologies that are promoted are typically far-right wing politics. These types of platforms largely target adolescents with vulnerabilities in other areas but they are mainly subjected to this due to the fact that they are still mentally developing. This is emphasized in an article called “Youth and Online Polarization and Radicalization” by the Institute of Digital Media and Child Development which has stated, “‘Anytime we log on to our digital devices, we encounter extremist propaganda, hate and their various cognates,’ he says. ‘And this is especially true of spaces and places online where youth are especially reachable and where vulnerable youth are more easily identified. [Extremists] consciously target those spaces and they consciously target those youth.’” This quote demonstrates that online groups will seek social media platforms or groups that the majority of adolescents use purposefully to spread or condition them to these beliefs. The quote also stresses that the algorithm plays a hand in making this content widespread which is why this type of media is mainstream.
When recognizing the effects of social media on mental health it's important to address the effects of the algorithms. Social media can be associated with mental health issues like depression and anxiety in adolescents mainly because of how the addiction and negative content can impact their health. It’s acknowledged that algorithms can provoke symptoms relating to these issues like lack of sleep, low self esteem and a decrease in activity. Algorithms can also boost unsafe content which can be linked to the increase of mental health issues. An article called “Social Media Algorithms and Teen Addiction by the NLM” explains, “Social media platforms are designed to offer constant stimulation and personalized content, which keep users hooked for extended periods [45,46]. As has been discussed earlier in this review, such designs nurture addictive behaviors that may cause mental health problems and reduced productivity. These risks raise serious safety concerns, especially for teenagers, who may be more vulnerable to the adverse effects of prolonged social media use.” This demonstrates the dependency of algorithms and how it can cause mental harm to adolescents that use these platforms.
When the bill was introduced there was support received from both political parties along with a general agreement over the benefits of the bill. Still, some libertarians can argue that the bill being utilized to monitor or filter out algorithms for adolescents is considered censorship and which goes against the freedom of content creation. Some legislatures might think that the resources going toward the bill would be a waste when considering the different causes that it can be used for. Besides the possibility of the act being a futile attempt to prevent harmful or unwanted content, legislatures also believe that this can take money away from social media platforms. The bill can also prohibit advertisements which can affect their revenue. However the intentions of the policy can be advantageous to both the mental health and development of adolescents.
Resources:
De, Debasmita, et al. “Social Media Algorithms and Teen Addiction: Neurophysiological Impact and Ethical Considerations.” National Library of Medicine, NIH, 8 Jan. 2025, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11804976/.
n/a. “Youth and Online Polarization and Radicalization.” Children and Screens, Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, Aug. 2023, www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/youth-and-online-polarization-and-radicalization/.
Weir, Kirsten. “Social Media Brings Benefits and Risks to Teens. Psychology Can Help Identify a Path Forward.” American Psychological Association, APA, 1 Sept. 2023, www.apa.org/monitor/2023/09/protecting-teens-on-social-media.
Mathews, Andrew, et al. “SF 1528 Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026).” Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, 18 Feb. 2025, www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/1528/versions/latest/.
n/a. “RELEASE: Robbins Introduces SOTA Kids Act.” Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota House of Representatives, 3 Mar. 2023, www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/news/15504/48308.
Harriger, Jennifer A., et al. “The Dangers of the Rabbit Hole: Reflections on Social Media as a Portal into a Distorted World of Edited Bodies and Eating Disorder Risk and the Role of Algorithms.” Science Direct, Elsevier , June 2022, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1740144522000638.