Technology (Social Media) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4422: The "Digital Impersonation Prevention Act."

The "Digital Impersonation Prevention Act" (A4422) makes it a crime to knowingly impersonate a real person online without their consent, specifically when done to harm others, send unsolicited spam or ads, or access their personal contact list. It criminalizes creating fake email or social media accounts in someone else's name, altering digital messages to appear as if they came from another person, or using impersonation to transmit unsolicited commercial messages. Violators face fines up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both. Victims can also sue for $500 per incident plus additional damages and seek court orders to stop the impersonation. The law does not hold internet service providers liable unless they personally commit the impersonation.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Social Media

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Aug 11, 2026

A 4015: "New Jersey Kids Code Act"; adopts New Jersey Age-Appropriate Design Code and requires certain online service providers to implement certain measures concerning minors' use of online service.*

New Jersey Assembly Bill 4015, the "New Jersey Kids Code Act," requires major online services (like social media and games) that minors are likely to use to set default privacy settings to the highest protection level for children. It prohibits these services from showing targeted ads to minors, using manipulative design tricks to change privacy settings, collecting certain personal data without clear consent, or promoting restricted products to children. The bill also mandates annual public reports detailing how these platforms protect minors’ privacy, their data practices, safety tools for parents, and how much time children spend on their services. This law directly affects large online platforms operating in New Jersey, not small websites or services not used by minors.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Digital Government Social Media

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Aug 11, 2026

A 4014: Establishes Social Media Research Center at four-year public institution of higher education.

This bill establishes a Social Media Research Center at a New Jersey four-year public university selected by the Higher Education Secretary. The center will conduct research on social media's effects on youth mental health, develop online safety resources for public schools, and provide recommendations to state agencies. It will also administer grants for social media research using a peer-reviewed process modeled after the NIH, and require annual reports on its work. The bill directly affects New Jersey public universities (as hosts), public schools (through educational resources), and state agencies (by requiring data sharing).

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health Online Safety Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 4013: Requires Social Media Research Center to research and make recommendations concerning addictive social media behaviors.*

This bill requires social media platforms with significant user activity in New Jersey to display prominent warning labels about mental health risks during account sign-up and when users access certain features. It specifically targets platforms that allow social interaction (like profile creation and content sharing) and directly affects minors under 18, as defined by the bill. The warnings must highlight risks identified by the U.S. Surgeon General, including links between heavy social media use and increased depression, anxiety, and sleep disruption in youth. Platforms must comply with these labeling requirements to inform users and families about potential harms. The bill does not impose additional restrictions beyond the warning labels.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Mental Health Social Media

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 448: Upgrades to third degree crime for cyber-harassment of public servant or family member of public servant; establishes Office of Cyber-Harassment Support in DLPS; appropriates funds.

This bill (S 448) upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, elevating it to a third-degree crime (a higher-level criminal charge) from the previous fourth-degree classification. It creates a new Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the state Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate education, victim support, and prevention programs statewide. The office will work with law enforcement, schools, and social media platforms to improve reporting systems, develop awareness campaigns, and provide counseling for victims. The bill also appropriates state funds for the office’s implementation and includes provisions for parental accountability if minors commit cyber-harassment. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.303.)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1182: Concerns policies governing student use of cell phones and social media platforms in public schools.

S 1182 requires New Jersey public schools to adopt policies restricting student cell phone and social media use during school hours, on buses, and at school events. The policies must include age-appropriate rules, accommodate students with IEPs, allow emergency phone use, and permit educational use with teacher permission. Schools must also implement network-based restrictions to block social media access on all school-owned devices and networks. The Commissioner of Education will develop guidelines covering storage options, communication protocols, and disciplinary procedures to support implementation. These requirements apply starting the first full school year after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 861: Establishes certain requirements for social media websites concerning content moderation practices; establishes cause of action against social media websites for violation of content moderation practices.

This New Jersey bill requires large social media platforms (defined as those with at least $100 million in annual revenue and 100 million global monthly users) to publicly explain their content moderation rules and apply them consistently. It mandates that platforms notify users before removing content or imposing long-term account bans, provide data on how many people viewed a user's posts, and allow users to opt out of algorithm-driven content sorting. The bill also prohibits platforms from using algorithms to censor or ban candidates for public office during election periods and protects news organizations from content-based censorship. Violations would allow affected users or entities to pursue legal action under New Jersey's consumer fraud law.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1826: Requires age verification to prohibit minors from accessing sexually explicit material online.

This bill (S 1826) requires online platforms primarily distributing sexually explicit material (defined as "obscene material" under New Jersey law) to verify users are at least 18 years old before accessing such content. It applies specifically to "sexually oriented online entities" where more than one-third of revenue, user accounts, or content consists of obscene material - such as dedicated adult platforms or sites with significant adult content. The law mandates using approved age verification methods, including New Jersey’s driver’s license system, to confirm users’ age before access. It does not apply to general social media or non-explicit content, focusing solely on platforms meeting the defined threshold for obscene material. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2129: Prohibits and imposes criminal penalty on disclosure of certain intentionally deceptive audio or visual media within 90 days of election.

S 2129 prohibits knowingly sharing deceptive audio or video (like deepfakes) within 90 days of an election if intended to mislead voters about candidates or election issues. It makes this a crime (4th degree for first offense, 3rd for repeat), with penalties including fines and jail time. The law allows voters or candidates to seek court orders to stop such sharing and recover damages, but includes key exceptions: news reporting, satire, and minor edits with clear disclaimers (e.g., "This contains manipulated images"). Platforms like social media and news outlets are exempt from liability under federal law (Section 230).

Topics ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2175: Requires social media companies to establish toll-free telephone number for NJ account holders to report fraudulent account actions.

This bill (S 2175) requires major social media companies (with at least 5 million global users) to provide New Jersey residents a 24-hour toll-free phone number to report account fraud, such as unauthorized access. Companies must publish this number in security emails sent to NJ account holders and on their platform's homepage or help page. Failing to comply would violate New Jersey's consumer fraud law, risking fines up to $20,000 per violation. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.352.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Social Media

All technology bills