As legislators and moms, representatives offer bills to
protect kids from digital harm
Three Rhode Island representatives — all mothers of children and teens — are taking action to protect kids in an increasingly digital world with a package of legislation aimed at improving online safety for children.
Representatives Tina L. Spears, Justine Caldwell and Megan
L. Cotter have introduced a package of legislation to address growing concerns
around social media use and digital technology use by establishing new
safeguards designed to reduce risks such as exposure to harmful content,
exploitation and adverse mental health impacts among young users.
The legislation holds technology companies accountable for
the products they design and deploy, particularly when their platforms are used
by children. By requiring clear safety standards, transparency and proactive
risk mitigation, these measures ensure tech companies share responsibility for
protecting young users from harm.
The three representatives highlighted the bills at State
House event today to call attention to the necessity of ensuring that laws
protecting kids evolve alongside the ever-changing challenges presented by
technology. They were joined by two of the Senate sponsors of the bills —Sen.
Louis P. DiPalma and Sen. Lori Urso — as well the Office of the Attorney
General, community advocates and a mother who spoke about losing her son to
suicide after he plunged into online activities and communication she was unaware
of.
“As technology evolves, so does our responsibility to
protect children,” said Representative Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New
Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly). “These bills are about putting
common-sense guardrails in place to ensure kids can engage online more safely.”
Their effort reflects a broader commitment to meeting the
needs of families and communities, while holding technology platforms
accountable for the environments they create.
“These proposals recognize that online spaces are part of
everyday life for kids,” said Representative Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter,
Richmond, Hopkinton). “Our goal is to make those spaces safer, healthier and
more responsible.”
The legislation includes measures to strengthen protections
for minors on social media, gaming and other online platforms as well as on
school-provided devices and applications, and establish safety standards for AI
companions.
“There’s no reason we should accept threats to children’s safety as an inevitability of technology,” said Representative Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich). “Instead, we should demand that every step be taken to put safeguards in place on school devices, social media and throughout the internet, and hold companies accountable when they fail to do so.”
The package includes:
· The
Safe School Technology Act (2026-H 7895) Sponsored by Representative Caldwell,
this bill establishes standards for devices provided to students by schools,
and ensures the standards evolve alongside technology. It requires that schools
ensure such devices and software are not enabled with features such as
geolocation, addictive design features or access to adult strangers.
· Age-Appropriate
Design Code (2026-H 7632) Sponsored by Representative Cotter, this bill
places a responsibility on Big Tech companies to take reasonable care to avoid
any heightened risk of harm to children caused by their online services,
products or features. It would require them to use design features to prevent
harm or offensive intrusions into children’s privacy and discourages features
that are designed to prolong children’s use. Sponsored in the Senate (2026-S 2406) by Senate President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East
Providence).
· Social
Media Regulation Act (2026-H 7953) Sponsored by Representative Spears, this bill
would require social media companies to verify their Rhode Island users’ ages,
and prohibit use by those under 18. Violations by platforms would be punishable
by civil penalties and subject to private lawsuits if they result in harm to
individuals. Sponsored in the Senate (2026-S 2968) by Senator DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown,
Little Compton, Tiverton, Newport).
· Rhode
Island Children’s Online Safety Act (2026-H 7746) Sponsored by Representative Caldwell,
this bill would provide protections to children using online platforms by
requiring platforms to turn off open chats by default for young users, and
requires parent to approve children’s financial transactions on gaming and
social media sites.
· Use
of Third-Party Digital Platforms in Public Education (2026-H 8345) Sponsored by Representative Caldwell, this
bill establishes a legislative commission to study the use of third-party
digital platforms in public education. Increased use of third-party digital
platform technologies potentially give third-party vendors and providers great
influence in the way education is delivered, but there has been little study of
the impact and changes the use of these platforms might have on public
education.
· AI
Companion Models (2026-H 7350) Sponsored by Representative Spears, this bill
requires safety features for AI companion technology, including provisions
addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to
others expressed by a user. The act also requires notification that the AI
companion does not have human emotions. Sponsored in the Senate (2026-S 2195) by Senator Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket).
“Social media has become an integral part of how we communicate in 2026, but it is up to us to ensure that the correct guardrails are in place to prevent harm to our kids,” said Attorney General Neronha. “In 2023, my Office sued Meta for allegedly and knowingly designing and deploying harmful, addictive features on its platforms. Big tech is only interested in profits, and so it is contingent upon us to protect our children from the potentially devastating effects of these apps. I’m proud to support Senate President Lawson, Senators DiPalma and Urso, and Representatives Spears, Caldwell, and Cotter, as they prioritize the safety of our children in an ever-changing digital landscape.”
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