An act relating to age-appropriate design code

This Vermont bill establishes an age-appropriate design code that requires online companies to protect the privacy and safety of children under 18. It applies to any business that offers online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by minors, including social media platforms, gaming sites, and apps with targeted advertising. The law mandates that companies avoid using manipulative design features that exploit children's developing brains, such as endless scrolling or autoplay functions, and requires them to set age-appropriate defaults for privacy settings. Companies must also limit the collection of personal data from minors and prohibit the use of precise geolocation tracking for users under 16. The bill defines specific age ranges for different developmental stages and requires businesses to consider these needs when designing their digital products and services.