Public Comment

Massachusetts is considering youth social-media rules aimed at features such as algorithmic feeds, infinite scroll, overnight notifications, and age assurance. Supporters say these design choices can prolong use and expose minors to harmful content. Critics warn that age checks and parental-consent rules can collect sensitive information, restrict lawful speech, and block teens who lack supportive parents. The state can change default product design, impose age-based access rules, require parental tools and audits, limit only certain nighttime features, or rely on families and voluntary standards. Parents need help against products designed to hold attention, but teenagers should not have to upload identity papers to read lawful speech. Safer defaults can reduce harm without building a new identity database.

What is the least intrusive way to protect teens on social media?

Overall results

1
54% support · excluded by 3%
7

Changing defaults targets the product mechanics that prolong use while still letting a teen deliberately choose content and communication tools.

2
53% support · excluded by 6%
7

A clear minimum age and parental permission rule gives families enforceable control before younger children enter high-risk social environments.

3
52% support · excluded by 9%
1

Audits and usable parent controls can expose risky design without prescribing one technical solution or requiring the state to inspect private messages.

4
49% support · excluded by 14%
1

Turning off late-night alerts and autoplay addresses sleep and compulsive use with a narrow rule families can understand.

5
41% support · excluded by 11%
1

Families and schools can respond to individual maturity and needs without government age checks or speech restrictions.

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