The issue of children’s access to social media and parental rights has been a topic of legislative action in various states. Now, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is trying it here.
While Senate Bill 63 (SB63) may have an admirable intent in planning, its legally dubious execution is likely to cause more issues than it solves.
Every parent’s top priority is keeping their kids safe – whether at home, at school, or online.
As social media platforms have quickly become an integral part of our kids’ lives, particularly their social lives, it’s understandable that our state’s lawmakers would explore ways to make platforms safer for their use.
However, an equally critical part of that conversation must also be establishing guardrails without overstepping. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 63 fails to strike that balance and risks the rights and safety of Nevadans in the process.
One of the most troubling aspects of the bill is its requirement that social media companies verify the age of all their users regardless of age.
This would mean that any user signing up for a social platform in Nevada would be required to submit personal information – often through the form of an ID or facial recognition – to be eligible.
Not only would such a move open up all Nevadan social media users to new threats of data breaches and identity fraud, but it could have a particularly damaging effect on our kids, who are 51 times more likely to become a victim of identity theft than adults.
Equally concerning is SB 63’s impact on the freedom of speech in Nevada and the broader implication of creating a new precedent for online censorship.
By forcing social media companies to restrict certain features – like live streaming and personalized algorithms – based on age, we are allowing the cementation of a dangerous precedent for interference in online expression.
The risk of censorship forced on social media companies looking to avoid costly legal battles with the attorney general could stifle online discourse in the state and give a troubling level of control to the state.
We’ve already seen this with Meta’s announcement of pressure from the Biden Administration to censor information. What’s next, Mr. Ford?
While there is no doubt that there is a shared bipartisan interest in making the internet safer for our kids, SB 63 advances sweeping, untested measures that put them in more danger.
Rather than collaborating with the industry to enhance existing features or educate parents on managing online access, this proposed law empowers state leaders to control online content, endangering Nevadans’ privacy and civil liberties.
As lawmakers continue to discuss the potential advancement of SB 63, I sincerely hope they will consider the gravity of these implications and the impact they could have on free expression in the Silver State.
