Amid growing concerns over the influence of social media and AI on minors, Michigan parents and lawmakers are once again urging the state House to act on a set of proposed regulations. These bills, aimed at curbing the potential harm from “addictive” online feeds and AI chatbots, have already received Senate approval but await deliberation in the House.
Referred to as the “Kids Over Clicks” initiative, the legislative package passed the Democrat-led Senate in April. However, it has yet to be addressed by the Republican-majority House. Democratic State Senator Kevin Hertel, a proponent of the bills, stressed the urgency, stating, “This is not political, it is not partisan and it needs to move right now. Our kids’ future and safety depend on what we do.”
‘She had an entire life ahead of her’
The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit social media companies from delivering “addictive” content and advertisements to minors. Additionally, one bill would impose restrictions on AI chatbot interactions with young users.
Proponents of the legislation include parents who believe their children have suffered due to social media addiction. Among them is Charay Gadd, who shared the tragic story of her daughter London, who died by suicide in 2024, during a virtual meeting. Gadd emphasized the preventive measures her family took, yet found it insufficient.
Gadd recounted, “She had dreams, she had a future, she had an entire life ahead of her. Our family did everything parents are told to do. We limited screentime. We had rules about phones at night. No phones during family meals or vacations. We were involved. We were present. We were paying attention, and it still wasn’t enough.”
Upon reviewing her daughter’s online activity, Gadd discovered that “innocent childhood searches” had exposed London to harmful content related to self-harm and suicide. “No 12-year-old should have to navigate that world,” she remarked, “and no parent should have to discover it after burying their child.”
In a related development, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, reached a settlement with 47 states over accusations of harm to children. This agreement includes content presentation changes for younger users and a payment of up to $17 billion, with Michigan set to receive at least $171 million.
Despite this development, State Senator Dayna Polehanki, who introduced the AI chatbot restriction bill, reaffirmed the importance of the legislation. She noted, “I had the question, ‘Do we even need to do this package anymore?’ And the answer is a definitive, absolutely yes.” Polehanki pointed out that the settlement does not address AI or extend beyond Meta’s platforms, highlighting the need for broader protections covering other services like YouTube and TikTok.
What’s next with ‘Kids Over Clicks’ bills
The Kids Over Clicks initiative includes bills SB 757, 758, 759, and 760.
Should these bills pass into law, they may encounter legal challenges. Industry group NetChoice, representing tech companies, has previously contested similar laws in states like Georgia and Arkansas, arguing they infringe on First Amendment rights.
Recently, a federal judges’ panel in Georgia lifted an injunction on SB 351, a law limiting social media use for those under 16. NetChoice has pledged to continue its legal battle against the legislation.
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