Technology (Online Safety)

This bill amends New Jersey's obscenity laws to require online platforms to verify that users are at least 18 years old before they can access sexually explicit material. It defines "sexually oriented online entities" as websites, social media platforms, and other digital services where a significant portion of content or revenue involves such material. The legislation makes it a third-degree crime for these platforms or individuals to knowingly show obscene content to minors without confirming their age. Additionally, the bill establishes legal presumptions regarding a platform's knowledge of its content and the age of its users to enforce these restrictions.

This New Jersey bill requires social media companies to verify the age of all users and obtain explicit parental consent before minors under 18 can create accounts on platforms. To provide consent, parents must submit government-issued identification and credit card information, with a fee of up to 35 cents charged to the card. The law also prohibits direct messaging between adults and minors on social media platforms and mandates that accounts without proper verification be denied access within 14 days. These requirements apply to social media platforms with at least five million worldwide users that allow users to create profiles and share content.

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.