Requires Social Media Research Center to research and make recommendations concerning addictive social media behaviors.*

The bill's core purpose changed from requiring platforms to display black box warnings and monitor users for problematic behaviors to requiring a Social Media Research Center to research addictive social media behaviors and make recommendations. The legal basis shifted from Title 56 (Health) to Chapter 62 of Title 18A (Social Media Research Center).

The findings section now references P.L.2023, c.126 (the New Jersey Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents) and its September 15, 2025 recommendations, which advised the Legislature to require platforms to create developmentally appropriate experiences for youth, implement strong default privacy settings for minors, and develop robust safety mechanisms against cyberbullying and exploitation.

The definition of covered entities changed from 'covered social media platform' (public/semi-public internet services connecting users) to 'covered online service provider,' which is much broader and includes any entity generating majority revenue from online services, conducting business in New Jersey, using personal data for targeting, and meeting either a $25 million gross revenue threshold (CPI-adjusted every two years starting 2029) or processing data of at least 25,000 users or households.

New age-based definitions introduced: 'child' (under 13), 'minor' (13 to under 18), 'covered child,' and 'covered minor.' Also added a detailed 'actual knowledge' definition for how platforms determine a user's age, including self-identified age, age flags, commercially reasonable age verification, and ages attributed for marketing purposes.

All black box warning requirements were removed, including: displaying warnings on first access and exit (10 seconds, 25% of screen), displaying warnings after 3 hours of use and hourly thereafter (90 seconds, 75% of screen, no dismissal allowed), and the specific Surgeon General warning text.

The requirement for platforms to monitor users for 'problematic behaviors' was removed. The original defined problematic behaviors as: cumulative active use of 3+ hours per day, accessing within 10 minutes of waking, and making 10 or more posts in one calendar day.

The advertising requirements were removed: the mandate that advertising be based on fact and not false, deceptive, or misleading, and the requirement to include a disclaimer about potential negative mental health impacts.

The Commissioner of Health is now authorized to adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the Center's recommendations, in consultation with the Departments of Human Services, Children and Families, and Law and Public Safety, specifically to deter and reduce addictive social media behaviors among covered children and minors.

The civil penalty provision (up to $250,000 per violation enforced through the Penalty Enforcement Law) was removed entirely. The preemption clause stating that the law affording greatest protection to users under 18 controls in case of conflict was also removed.

New deadlines established: the Social Media Research Center must issue a final report within 18 months of the effective date (or of companion bills A4014/S3411, whichever is later), and the Commissioner of Health may adopt implementing rules within 30 months of the same trigger date.

The effective date changed from six months after enactment to immediate effect upon enactment.