This Minnesota bill, H.F. No. 1875, aims to regulate social media use for minors aged 15 and younger as a consumer protection measure. Key provisions include:

1. Definitions and Scope

• Defines social media platforms as online forums, websites, or apps that allow users to upload/view content, use algorithms to select content, and include features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, personal interactive metrics, autoplay video, or live streaming.
• Excludes email or direct messaging services that do not publicly share content.
• Applies to Minnesota residents who spend at least six months a year in the state.

2. Restrictions for Minors Younger than 14

• Prohibits social media platforms from allowing minors under 14 to create accounts.
• Requires platforms to terminate existing accounts belonging to users under 14 unless effectively disputed within 90 days.
• Allows minors under 14 to request their accounts be deleted.
• Gives parents/guardians the right to request account termination of a minor under 14, which must be processed within 10 business days.
• Requires permanent deletion of personal data from terminated accounts unless legally required to retain it.

3. Restrictions for Minors Aged 14-15

• Requires parental/guardian consent for accounts of 14- and 15-year-olds.
• Mandates termination of accounts for 14- and 15-year-olds if parental consent is not provided, with a 90-day dispute window.
• Allows minors aged 14-15 to request account deletion.
• Gives parents/guardians the right to request account termination, which must be processed within 10 business days.
• Requires permanent deletion of personal data from terminated accounts unless legally required to retain it.

4. Enforcement and Penalties

• Violations are treated as unfair and deceptive trade practices enforceable by the Minnesota Attorney General.
• The Attorney General can impose a civil penalty of up to $50,000 per violation, plus attorneys' fees and court costs.
• Patterns of reckless noncompliance may result in punitive damages.
• The Attorney General has investigative authority to enforce the law.

5. Individual Damages for Minors

• A minor account holder can sue a social media platform for violations.
• Courts may award damages up to $10,000 per claim, including attorneys' fees and court costs.
• The claim must be brought within one year of discovering the violation.
• Only a minor account holder can file a claim.

6. Jurisdiction and Contractual Obligations

• Platforms allowing minors under 16 to create accounts are subject to Minnesota's jurisdiction.
• The bill defines the use of a platform as a contractual agreement between the user and the platform.

7. Other Legal Remedies

• The bill does not prevent other legal claims under different laws.

Summary

This bill imposes strict age restrictions, parental consent requirements, and strong penalties for social media platforms that allow minors under 16 to create accounts without compliance. It also grants minors and their parents enforcement rights against non-compliant platforms.