Four Michigan bills targeting addictive social media feeds and certain AI chatbots for minors remain awaiting action in the state House.
A coalition of parents and lawmakers pressed for action Oct. 16, renewing calls for the Republican-controlled House to vote on the “Kids Over Clicks” package, Michigan Public reported.
Senate Bills 757 through 760 passed the Democratic-controlled Senate on April 29 and were referred to the House Communications and Technology Committee, according to legislative tracking records for SB 757 and SB 760.
State Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, who sponsors SB 758, urged the House to act during the Oct. 16 call.
“This is not political, it is not partisan and it needs to move right now,” Hertel said, according to Michigan Public.
The package would restrict personalized feeds for minors without verifiable parental consent, strengthen data privacy protections and limit targeted advertising. It would also restrict certain AI companion chatbots, according to a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of the Senate-passed bills.
The notification restrictions would cover overnight hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Sept. 1 and May 31.
The chatbot bill targets systems foreseeably capable of undermining minors’ safety or development through conduct such as simulating human emotions or encouraging harmful activity. The proposals carry different maximum civil penalties, including $5,000, $25,000 and $50,000 per violation.
What it means for Troy families
Troy School District already restricts cellphone use during the school day.
Middle school students must keep phones out of sight, including during lunch and passing periods, and should store them in lockers. High school students must store devices in lockers or backpacks during instructional time, according to the district’s cellphone policy.
State Rep. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, backed a separate bipartisan classroom cellphone measure in January. In a statement announcing his support, Kuhn said schools need tools to balance technology and education.
The Kids Over Clicks package would regulate online platforms themselves, extending beyond school device policies.
Parents push for action
During the Oct. 16 call, Charay Gadd spoke about her daughter, London, who died in 2024. Gadd said she later found that childhood searches had led her daughter to content about self-harm and suicide, Michigan Public reported.
State Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia, who sponsors the chatbot bill, said a recently announced Meta settlement does not eliminate the need for legislation covering other platforms and AI.
The proposed settlement includes payments of up to $17.1 billion to states and other jurisdictions. Michigan’s payments would depend partly on specified conditions, and the agreement required judicial approval when announced, according to Michigan Public’s August coverage.
Legal challenges elsewhere
Similar laws have faced constitutional challenges. On Oct. 15, a federal appellate panel vacated an injunction blocking Georgia’s law requiring parental consent for social media accounts belonging to users under 16.
The court sent the case back for further proceedings, rather than resolving every constitutional question.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has opposed the Michigan package, citing regulatory burdens and concerns about innovation, GovTech reported.
The bills still need House approval before they could reach Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call 988 or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
