Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones declared Senate Bill 351 a priority for the 2024 legislative session.
ATLANTA – A trade group for internet companies is asking Gov. Brian Kemp to veto a bill that would require social media platforms to use “commercially reasonable” efforts to verify the age of their users.
Senate Bill 351, passed by the Georgia House and Senate last week on the final day of this year’s legislative session, aims to protect young people from cyberbullying and other negative effects of social media.
The Protect Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act was a top priority for Lt. Governor Bert Jones. It was sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus.
“Social media can be a very useful tool, but there are times when we must rein in Big Tech to protect the health and safety of our children,” Jones said in February, when the Senate passed the original version of the bill. mentioned later. “This legislation is a major step forward in our efforts to combat cyberbullying and protect Georgia’s children.”
However, Carl Szabo, NetChoice’s vice president and general counsel, argued that such mandatory authentication requirements for social media access are unconstitutional.
“This bill has many good ideas, but if enacted, it would violate the U.S. Constitution and create serious vulnerabilities for Georgians and their families,” Sabo told Kemp on Monday. wrote in a letter. “Ultimately, Georgia would be better served by abandoning social media age verification efforts and instead pursuing legislative efforts to improve the online literacy of minors and their parents.” Let’s go.”
Supporters of the bill cited numerous studies showing that excessive use of social media poses serious risks to young people, especially girls, and increases the risk of suicide.
Senate Bill 351 applies age verification requirements to minors, Georgians under the age of 16.
