Pennsylvania Senate Resolution 356 designates the week of August 17 through 23, 2026, as "Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week." The resolution cites rising statistics on online child exploitation, including sextortion and the use of artificial intelligence for abuse, to highlight the need for greater vigilance. It encourages educational programming and public awareness efforts aimed at protecting minors from these digital threats as students prepare to return to school.
This Senate Resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to create a Task Force on Child Protection in the Digital Age to evaluate how current laws address online risks to minors. The Task Force will include representatives from law enforcement, victim advocacy, medical professionals, and other relevant agencies appointed by the Attorney General. Its main role is to review Pennsylvania's statutes regarding child protection in the digital age, particularly concerning artificial intelligence and child sexual abuse material, and recommend updates to laws and policies. The commission must submit an initial report by November 30, 2027, with follow-up reports every odd-numbered year thereafter, and publish findings online while sending copies to state leadership.
HB 2215 requires AI chatbot providers to verify user age using reliable methods like government-issued ID, not just birth dates, to prevent minors from accessing AI companions designed for emotional interaction. The bill prohibits creating or distributing AI chatbots that risk encouraging minors to engage in or share sexually explicit content or violent behavior, with penalties of up to $100,000 per violation. It defines "AI companion" as chatbots simulating friendship or therapy and mandates that age verification must reliably block minors without relying on IP addresses or other technical indicators. This law applies to any entity making AI chatbots available in the U.S., focusing on protecting minors from harmful content through concrete verification requirements.
HB 2108 requires online platforms likely accessed by children (e.g., social media, games, educational apps) to conduct data protection impact assessments before launching features. It mandates that companies prioritize children's safety, privacy, and well-being over profits when designing products, prohibits deceptive "dark patterns" that trick kids into sharing data, and bans practices causing physical, psychological, or privacy harms. Covered entities - businesses processing children's personal data - face penalties for violations. The law directly affects digital services targeting minors, focusing on concrete policy changes like mandatory risk assessments and design safeguards.
HB 2176 would require Pennsylvania public and nonpublic schools to integrate social media literacy into their curriculum. The bill mandates that state academic standards include specific lessons on social media's mental, psychological, and physical impacts on students, its effects on learning, safe online behavior (including identifying cyberbullying and predatory activity), and personal device security. The Department of Education must develop educational materials and provide professional development for teachers on these topics. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania schools, including public school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools, by adding concrete requirements to student learning standards.
SB 603 requires commercial websites containing over one-third "material harmful to minors" (such as explicit sexual content or content lacking literary value for minors) to implement reasonable age verification before minors can access that content. It directly affects businesses operating such websites, mandating they use third-party verification methods without retaining users' personal data. The law exempts bona fide news organizations and news-gathering activities, and holds commercial entities liable for damages if minors access harmful content or if they improperly retain user data. Internet service providers are not held liable for simply hosting or connecting to such websites.
HB 1430 would require social media platforms operating in Pennsylvania to protect minors under 16 years old. The bill bans "dark patterns" (deceptive design features that impair user choice) and mandates that platforms allow minors to permanently delete their accounts and personal information so it cannot be retrieved. It also requires platforms to implement a consent process for minors to open accounts. Violations would be subject to penalties under the law.
HB 1729 would require online platforms in Pennsylvania to verify the age of users and set default privacy settings for children under 18, blocking strangers from messaging, viewing profiles, tagging, or transacting with them without parental approval. For children under 13, parents must approve all new connections and financial transactions, and can view their child's activity on the platform. The bill also prohibits platforms from using deceptive design features ("dark patterns") that undermine these protections and bans discrimination against minors in service quality or pricing. This applies to social media, gaming, and other platforms allowing public profiles and user interaction.
