This bill aims to protect children in Minnesota from specific targeting by social media algorithms. It sets rules for social media platforms that have over 1 million global users, particularly when operating in Minnesota. Here are the key points:

1. Definition of Terms: The bill defines various technical terms related to social media, such as "account holder," "recommendation feature," "social media algorithm," and "social media platform."

2. Prohibitions:

   • Social media platforms are not allowed to use algorithms that target children under 18 with specific content based on user engagement metrics.
   • Platforms must display content in a chronological order or show only content that the child has explicitly chosen to follow.

3. Parental Consent:

   • Social media companies must obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing children under 18 to create an account.

4. Exceptions:

   • Certain algorithms used for parental controls or educational content provided by schools are exempt from these restrictions.

5. Penalties for Violations:

   • If a platform targets a child with a prohibited algorithm and knows the user is under 18 and in Minnesota, they can face legal liabilities.
   • Damages could include general or special damages, a statutory penalty of $1,000 per violation, and other applicable legal penalties.

6. Title: The bill is referred to as the “Stop Online Targeting Against Kids Act” or “SOTA Kids Act.”

The overall intent of the bill is to ensure that social media environments are safer for children, preventing them from being manipulated or adversely influenced by algorithms designed to engage users based on their online behavior.