📱 Social Media Bill Targets Addictive Algorithms

Monday, April 14 — Arkansas State Capitol

A year after passing the now-blocked Social Media Act, Arkansas lawmakers are back at it. On Monday, the House gave strong approval to a revamped version of the law aimed at keeping minors away from addictive social media content — this time with tighter language designed to survive in court. ⚖️

🧠 What the Bill Does:

SB611, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Dees (R-Siloam Springs), would:

• 🚫 Ban social media platforms from using algorithms, tech, or strategies that expose Arkansas minors to addictive feeds
  
  
• ⛔ Block notifications to minors between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. CST
  
  
• 🎯 Prohibit targeted ads for users 16 and under
  
  
• 🛡️ Give the Arkansas Attorney General enforcement authority
  
  
• 🔄 Narrow the definition of a “minor” to under 16 (was under 18)
  
  
• 🔧 Update the definition of a “social media platform” to broaden coverage
  
  

🗳️ House Vote:

• ✅ Passed 92–3, with 1 present
  
  
  • No votes: Rep. Nicole Clowney (D-Fayetteville), Rep. Justin Gonzales (R-Okolona), and Rep. Brit McKenzie (R-Rogers)
    
    
  • Present: Rep. Austin McCollum (R-Bentonville)
    
    
• Now heads back to the Senate to consider amendments filed April 9
  
  

⚖️ Why This Bill Exists:

• SB611 is a direct response to the court’s March 31 ruling striking down Act 689 of 2023 (aka the Social Media Act), which Dees also sponsored.
  
  
• Federal Judge Timothy Brooks ruled Act 689 unconstitutional for violating:
  
  
  • 🧾 The First Amendment: Too broad, content-based, and not narrowly tailored
    
    
  • ⚖️ The Fourteenth Amendment: Too vague, violating due process
    
    
• That law would have required age verification and parental consent for minors under 18 to open social media accounts.
  
  

Rep. Jon Eubanks (R-Paris), carrying SB611 in the House, said the bill was rewritten to remove the language courts found objectionable.

🧵 What’s Next:

• SB611 returns to the Senate for final sign-off.
  
  
• Meanwhile, keep an eye on SB612 — also by Dees — which would let parents sue social media companies for algorithm-related harm to their kids.
  
  
  • That bill passed the Senate 33–0 on April 8, but the House hasn’t voted yet.
    
    

🗣️ From the Governor:

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a vocal backer of the effort, said in an April 2 statement:

“Moms and dads whose kids have fallen victim to Big Tech deserve the right to take action... Arkansas law should protect kids so they aren't subjected to toxic material in the first place.” 👩‍👧‍👦