SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Willie Preston is leading efforts to strengthen protections for children online by requiring safer digital standards for apps, devices and online platforms operating in Illinois.
“Parents already have enough to worry about without wondering whether social media companies are targeting their children with addictive content and unsafe features,” said Preston (D-Chicago). “Families in our communities deserve real protections, real transparency and real accountability from these tech companies.”
House Bill 5511 would create the Children’s Online Safety Act, establishing an age assurance system designed to help online platforms identify whether a user is a minor while limiting the amount of personal information shared in the process. The legislation would require covered manufacturers and app stores to provide age-range signals to online platforms so companies can apply appropriate protections for children and teens.
The measure would require platforms with actual knowledge that a user is a minor to automatically apply stronger default privacy protections, including limiting location sharing and restricting gifted currency features. The bill would also prohibit the sending of notifications to minors during overnight hours without verified parental consent.
Preston said the legislation is intended to address growing concerns about the effects of excessive and unsafe online engagement on young people, while also ensuring companies only share the minimum information necessary for age verification purposes.
“This legislation is about creating guardrails that put children before corporate algorithms,” Preston said. “We cannot continue allowing online platforms to prioritize engagement and profit over the mental health, privacy and well-being of young people.”
Under the measure, violations would be enforceable by the Illinois Attorney General and State’s Attorneys throughout Illinois under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
House Bill 5511 passed the Senate Monday.
