Connecticut, Nebraska, Utah Push Social Media Digital ID Laws

Proposed social media restrictions for minors could pave the way for a broader shift toward mandatory digital ID systems.

Efforts to regulate social media for minors are gaining momentum across multiple states, but these measures could have far-reaching consequences beyond child safety. Connecticut’s proposed House Bill 6857, along with similar legislation in Nebraska and Utah, seeks to curb algorithmic recommendations, impose time restrictions, and introduce stricter age verification requirements.

While proponents argue these policies will help protect young users from harmful content and excessive screen time, they also accelerate the push toward mandatory digital ID systems that could undermine online anonymity. As governments and corporations increasingly require users to verify their identity to access platforms, the internet may shift toward a more monitored and controlled digital space, raising concerns about privacy and personal freedom.

HB6857, formally titled “An Act Concerning the Attorney General’s Recommendations Regarding Social Media and Minors,” aims at what Attorney General William Tong describes as social media’s deliberate use of machine learning to keep users engaged. He argues that these algorithms analyze user behavior to feed them increasingly compelling content, a tactic he believes is particularly harmful to children.

If passed, the bill would prohibit algorithm-based content recommendations for minors unless a parent explicitly opts in. Additionally, it would block social media access for children between midnight and 6 a.m. and impose a daily usage limit of one hour. Tong emphasizes that parents must make an active decision regarding their child’s access to algorithms. “If an individual parent decides that they want their kid to have access to algorithms, that they can handle it, they can do that, but they have to affirmatively make that decision,” he explains, adding that the process must involve more than a simple click-through agreement.

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