Local Reps. Introduce Bills to Protect Kids from Online Harm

Legislation aims to hold tech companies accountable for protecting young users

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Representatives Tina L. Spears, Justine Caldwell and Megan L. Cotter have introduced a package of legislation to address growing concerns around social media use and digital technology use by establishing new safeguards designed to reduce risks such as exposure to harmful content, exploitation and adverse mental health impacts among young users. The bills include measures to strengthen protections for minors on social media, gaming and other online platforms as well as on school-provided devices and applications, and establish safety standards for AI companions.

Why it matters

As technology continues to evolve, there is an increasing need to ensure that laws protecting kids keep pace with the ever-changing challenges presented by digital platforms and online spaces. These bills aim to hold tech companies accountable for the products they design and deploy, particularly when their platforms are used by children.

The details

The legislation includes several key measures: The Safe School Technology Act establishes standards for devices provided to students by schools. The Age-Appropriate Design Code places responsibility on tech companies to take reasonable care to avoid heightened risk of harm to children. The Social Media Regulation Act would require social media companies to verify the ages of their Rhode Island users and prohibit use by those under 18. The Rhode Island Children's Online Safety Act would provide protections to children using online platforms. The Use of Third-Party Digital Platforms in Public Education bill establishes a commission to study the impact of these platforms in public education. The AI Companion Models bill requires safety features for AI companion technology.

  • The legislation was introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2026.

The players

Representative Tina L. Spears

A state representative from Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, and Westerly who introduced several of the bills.

Representative Megan L. Cotter

A state representative from Exeter, Richmond, and Hopkinton who introduced the Age-Appropriate Design Code bill.

Representative Justine Caldwell

A state representative who introduced several of the bills, including the Safe School Technology Act and the Rhode Island Children's Online Safety Act.

Senator Louis P. DiPalma

A state senator who is sponsoring the Social Media Regulation Act in the Senate.

Senator Lori Urso

A state senator who is sponsoring the AI Companion Models bill in the Senate.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As technology evolves, so does our responsibility to protect children. These bills are about putting common-sense guardrails in place to ensure kids can engage online more safely.”

— Representative Tina L. Spears

“These proposals recognize that online spaces are part of everyday life for kids. Our goal is to make those spaces safer, healthier and more responsible.”

— Representative Megan L. Cotter

“Social media has become an integral part of how we communicate in 2026, but it is up to us to ensure that the correct guardrails are in place to prevent harm to our kids. Big tech is only interested in profits, and so it is contingent upon us to protect our children from the potentially devastating effects of these apps.”

— Attorney General Neronha

What’s next

The bills will now proceed through the Rhode Island General Assembly for consideration and potential passage.

The takeaway

This legislative package represents a proactive effort by state representatives to address the evolving challenges of protecting children in the digital age, holding tech companies accountable, and ensuring online spaces are safer and more responsible for young users.