Under the new rules, social media feeds for children must be limited to content from accounts they follow, specific search results, or direct private messages.
The law aims to address public health concerns, such as rising depression rates and shrinking attention spans, by curbing design features intended to maximize time spent online.
To combat sleep deprivation, the act prohibits platforms from sending notifications to minors between 10 p.m.
and 7 a.m.
Additionally, the state will require platforms to implement stronger default privacy settings, including the protection of a minor’s precise location and restrictions on digital currency transactions.
Scheduled to take effect in 2028, the law mandates that platforms verify a user’s age through the device’s operating system based on settings established by parents.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office will oversee enforcement, with the power to issue fines of up to $7,500 per child for intentional violations.
While proponents argue these measures restore parental control, the law faces opposition from several industry groups and advocacy organizations that expressed concerns regarding free speech and potential legal challenges.