MADISON— In response to growing concerns surrounding social media platforms’ negative impacts on young people, Representative Alex Joers (D-Waunakee) introduced the Age‑Appropriate Design Code. This legislation, introduced Thursday as LRB-5458/1, would require digital platforms to embed “privacy by design and safety by default” protections for minors. Recent testimony received by the Speaker’s Task Force on Protecting Kids moved Rep. Joers, the Vice Chair of the committee, to create this essential legislation.
“This isn’t an abstract problem,” said Rep. Joers. “Online platforms are gateways where dangerous forces are finding their way into teens’ lives. We know exploitative interactions can lead to real‑world tragedy. The Age‑Appropriate Design Code is a proactive, responsible response: setting strong privacy protections by default, limiting adult access to minors online, and requiring transparent data and algorithm practices.”
The legislation would require covered platforms to configure all default privacy settings for minors to the highest level, prevent unwanted interactions with adults, disable search engine indexing of minor profiles, and restrict push notifications unless minors explicitly opt-in. It would also prevent manipulative design tactics that nudge minors into weakening their privacy protections.
“As a parent and a legislator, I’m deeply concerned about how unchecked social media design is putting our kids in harm’s way,” said Senator Jeff Smith (D-Bruswick), the bill’s lead Senate author. “Age-Appropriate Design Code is about setting clear, commonsense guardrails that put kids first.”
The Age‑Appropriate Design Code also includes tools to give minors greater control over their online presence as they learn how to navigate a digital world. This includes a prominent mechanism for youth to unpublish or delete accounts, with platforms required to honor these requests within 15 days.
In addition to privacy defaults and user control, the bill strengthens transparency by requiring clear explanations of how platforms collect and use personal data, including how algorithmic recommendations work and what data they use, especially with respect to minors.
A recent editorial published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, written by a Wisconsin mom named Carrie Harrison, warns that teens are increasingly exposed to fentanyl and other harmful substances through social media channels. Social media platforms often feature anonymity and subpar safeguards by design, which allows dangerous content and risky profile interactions to reach vulnerable youth.
“With the Wisconsin Age-Appropriate Design Code, we have the opportunity to protect kids from dangerous social media platforms and A.I. chatbots instead of taking Big Tech CEOs at their word,” said Carrie in response to this announcement. “As Jack’s mom, I’m fighting to make sure no other parent loses their child this way.”
Other advocates and experts from around the country also echoed support for this new proposal:
“For too long, tech companies have prioritized profit over kids’ well-being. The Wisconsin Age-Appropriate Design Code will prohibit abusive practices that extract kids’ data and attention for profit and force tech companies to instead design their platforms to promote kids’ privacy, safety, and autonomy. EPIC is proud to support Rep. Joers’ legislation.”
Caitriona Fitzgerald
Deputy Director, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
“SAVE Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, as a national suicide prevention nonprofit, is proud to stand with Representative Joers as we continue our fight to protect youth from the harms of social media platforms and unregulated AI. We have had the honor and privilege to work alongside parent survivors who have been tirelessly advocating for protections like those included in the Wisconsin Age-Appropriate Design Code. Their voices and lived experience have helped shape the urgency behind this effort. We applaud Representative Joers as he works to advance this critical legislation and ensure that the safety and well-being of children is placed where it belongs: front and center.”
Erich Mische, CEO,
SAVE-Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
“From toys to food to cars, we regulate products to keep children safe, and the same should be true for social media and other digital products. Parents in Wisconsin and nationwide must be able to expect that any tech product being marketed to kids is safe for kids. This legislation to implement the Wisconsin Age-Appropriate Design Code would represent a critical step to ensuring platforms show a duty of care to technology’s most vulnerable users: our children. We look forward to seeing this essential policy passed by the Wisconsin legislature and signed into law so the safety and privacy of children across the state is finally protected.”
Julie Scelfo
Founder and Executive Director, Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA)
