Vital Online Protections for Young Minnesotans Fail to Pass Legislature

Despite its overwhelming support, the Minnesota Age Appropriate Design code failed to pass this legislative session, leaving young Minnesotans at risk of experiencing severe harm online. Amidst the abundance of recent news revealing that tech companies, Big Tech-funded interest groups and news media are going all out to lobby against common sense digital safety bills, it’s clear that Big Tech is unafraid to use their limitless resources to allow Minnesota’s youngest generations to fall through the cracks. 

“It is incredibly disheartening that the well-funded Big Tech lobby is working to derail Minnesota’s fight for a safer online environment for kids and teens,” said Zamaan Qureshi, 20, Co-chair of the Design It For Us Coalition. “The need for tech accountability in Minnesota and across the country is long overdue, and despite this disappointing outcome this session, we’ll continue to demand that our elected representatives not let Big Tech off the hook. We applaud the efforts of the bill’s sponsors, Representatives Bahner and Stephenson, and Senator Maye Quade, and plan to work with them to take the Age Appropriate Design Code across the finish line next session, but in the meantime Minnesota kids and teens are left without the common sense protections afforded to kids and teens in the U.K. and California.”

“I’m deeply disappointed that Big Tech is attempting to intervene in Minnesota, forcing the continuation of unchecked and unregulated social media to harm my generation and that of my younger siblings and their peers in the same ways that I experienced,” stated Northfield resident Ella Collins, 19. “I shared my story and I made my plea – support and protect Minnesota youth, like my sisters, who are subject to harm on social media platforms with nowhere to turn.” 

Background on the efforts of Design It For Us to support the Minnesota Age Appropriate Design Code:

• Supported Ella Collins, a young person who spoke during committee hearings and shared her story in support of this critical legislation. 
• Ran a week-long digital ad in the Morning Take newsletter to amplify Ella’s story in support of the legislation. 

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