Illinois Senators Propose Stricter Online Safety Laws to Protect Children
Illinois lawmakers are pushing for tougher online protections for children with a new legislative package unveiled by Senators Sue Rezin and Erica Harriss. The measures include mandatory age verification for social media and adult content platforms, stronger privacy safeguards, and requirements for tech companies to disclose how their content algorithms work. Under the proposed bills, social media sites would need to restrict access for users under 16 and prioritize child safety and well-being. Violations could bring significant financial penalties. The package aims to reduce exposure to harmful content, curb data exploitation, and help parents better protect their children in today’s digital landscape.
“Kids today are growing up in a digital world that is moving faster than our laws have kept up, and for too long, we have allowed that gap to exist,” said Sen. Rezin. “We have a responsibility to step in, set clear expectations, and make sure the online spaces our children are using every day are safe and built with their well-being in mind.”
“We know social media is having a real impact on our kids, from mental health challenges to exposure to harmful content,” Rezin said. “While many believe the answer is to fix these platforms, and I agree, we also have to be honest that if meaningful changes are not made, we cannot simply stand by and do nothing. Everything has to be on the table when it comes to protecting children.”
A legislative package introduced in Illinois is targeting the safety of children and teens online, with several new proposals up for debate. Senate Bill 4046, sponsored by Senator Rezin, seeks to restrict social media access for those under 16 and requires platforms to implement robust age assurance systems. Another measure, the Better Social Media Feeds Act, would force companies to reveal how algorithms recommend content and prioritize user well-being over mere engagement. Additionally, the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act proposes strict data privacy for minors. Senate Bill 3945 would mandate age verification for adult content, aiming to prevent youth exposure online.
“Parents are doing everything they can to protect their children, but too often they are up against an online environment with few real safeguards,” said Sen. Harriss. “If a business is profiting from explicit material, it should take reasonable steps to ensure that minors cannot access it. This is a commonsense step that puts children first and gives families more support in navigating today’s digital world.”
“The internet is more accessible, more pervasive, and in many ways more dangerous for young people than ever before,” Sen. Harriss said. “These proposals are about creating reasonable guardrails, protecting children from harmful and exploitative content, and making sure Illinois is taking meaningful action to keep kids safe online.”