For Immediate Release: May 22, 2023
Contact: Elsa Alvarado, elsa@brysongillette.com

The Age Appropriate Design Code Would Require Online Safety by Design and Default

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Age Appropriate Design Code, legislation that would help protect the privacy and safety of children online, has failed to pass this legislative session, handing a significant loss to Minnesota’s kids and families that have consistently voiced their demand for this much-needed law. In a powerful display of support, concerned families took out a full-page advertisement in the Star Tribune, Minnesota’s largest newspaper, calling out Big Tech for fighting the bill and putting profits over kids.

Recent polling showed that 9 in 10 Minnesota voters want technology and social media companies to redesign their products to better protect children and teens online. The Minnesota Age Appropriate Design Code would require them to do that. 

“Big Tech has made it their mission to go against protecting children online. It’s extremely disappointing that they’re willing to put profits over our children,” said Rep. Kristin Bahner on the Minnesota House Floor on Monday. “When I talk to parents in my district – parents who are seeing their kids struggling with anxiety, depression and more – they are crying out for tools to protect their children online. Special interests may have won this battle, but they will not win the war.”  

“For years, tech and social media companies have raked in billions in profits and opposed any sort of regulation by hiding behind their innocuous sounding  trade organizations like TechNet, NetChoice, and Chamber of Progress. It’s time we name and shame them – Google, Amazon, Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and more are all responsible for the demise of this legislation,” said Shelby Knox, Campaign Director, ParentsTogether. “ We will keep fighting so Minnesota kids have the protections online that we all deserve.”

The Minnesota Age Appropriate Design Code (MN AADC) would require websites and online platforms to be designed in a manner that supports the well-being and privacy of children and teens.

For more information on the Minnesota Age Appropriate Design Code, please visit the website: https://minnesotakidscode.com/.

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