22 | Thursday, May 7, 2026 Monticello Times
ALL ABOUT KIDS
Lawmakers debate social media protections for children
KENDRA MOBILIA Report for Minnesota
Concerned about the effects of social media on children, Minnesota lawmakers are advancing a bill that would place new restrictions on how kids under 16 use popular platforms.
The proposal, discussed April 28 in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, would require verifiable parental consent for minors to create accounts, mandate high privacy settings and limit features designed to keep users engaged.
Sen. Michael Kreun, R-Blaine, said current age limits— typically set at 13— are rarely enforced.
“ We’ re here today because we’ re witnessing a public health crisis that operates not in our streets, but in the pockets of our children,” Kreun said.
The bill would restrict targeted advertising and features such as autoplay, push notifications and continuously loading content, which supporters say can contribute to excessive use.
Kreun said research shows social media can be addictive and is linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety among young users.
The legislation would apply to large social media companies— those that
METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS
Teens use smartphones to access social media platforms. Minnesota lawmakers are considering new restrictions aimed at limiting how minors use social media and protecting their privacy and mental health.
have earned at least $ 1 billion in advertising revenue in one of the past three years— including Meta, ByteDance, Alphabet and X.
Kreun emphasized the bill would not ban social media for minors, but instead establish guardrails.
“ This is about enforcing safety standards, not taking access away,” he said.
Testimony on the bill reflected both support and concern.
Mollie Snyder, a high school student, told lawmakers she has seen the impact of social media on her younger sister.
“ At 16, I can tell when something is an advertisement, and I will scroll,” Snyder said.“ But an insecure 13-year-old … she’ ll listen. She’ ll stop eating and spend $ 200 on skincare and makeup to make her pretty because the advertisement said so.”
Others raised concerns about privacy.
Under the bill, platforms could analyze account data
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Julie Covert, a University of Minnesota policy student, said the proposal raises potential risks.
“ The intent of this bill is incredibly important, but the current structure introduces privacy risks, unequal access and incentives that may push behavior in the wrong direction,”
Covert said. Industry representatives echoed those concerns. Ninia Linero, Midwest executive director at Tech- Net, said the bill could create unintended consequences.
“ We remain concerned that the bill, as drafted, creates a framework that is both unworkable in practice and risks unintended consequences for the very children it aims to protect,” Linero said.
Kreun countered that social media companies are already collecting large amounts of user data.
“ We shouldn’ t allow unregulated algorithms to dictate the mental health of an entire generation,” he said.
The committee approved the bill, sending it next to the Senate Rules Committee.
Report for Minnesota is a project of the University of Minnesota’ s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication to support local news across the state.
Year-end party honors student safety patrol members
Staff report
MONTICELLO— The Monticello American Legion Auxiliary hosted a year-end bingo and pizza party April 21 for student safety patrol members and bus safety riders from Pinewood and Little Mountain elementary schools.
The students, who served in those roles throughout the school year, were recognized with certificates of appreciation, bus-themed keychains and dog tag necklaces.
Food and refreshments were donated by local partners, including pizza from Hoglund Bus Company, soft drinks from Dahlheimer’ s Distributing and cookies from the Legion kitchen.
Students also played bingo for prizes during the event, which organizers said celebrated the group’ s dedication and leadership.