Defending Kids’ Safety Online
I recently introduced legislation with Representatives Joy Goeben and Ben Franklin as part of the Speaker’s Task Force on Protecting Kids. The “Kids Online Safety Act” recognizes the expansive body of research connecting social media use to severe physical and mental health problems in kids.
Depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, harassment, and poor body image are just a few of the well-documented side effects of social media on our kids. Right now, social media companies, advertisers, and predators have unfettered access to our children, and data shows this has come at a high cost. It’s time to protect our kids online by enacting common-sense safety measures.
The proposal places several safety requirements on social media accounts held by minors, including:
- Requiring social media companies to perform age estimation to identify kid accounts
- Requiring parental consent and access to their child’s account
- Requiring the strictest privacy settings
- Prohibiting addictive features like infinite scrolling and targeted advertising
- Empowering parents to place time restrictions on their child’s account
Under the bill, social media companies that breach these provisions will incur significant state penalties and civil damages may be awarded to those harmed. Upon enactment, Wisconsin would rightly join other states in holding social media companies accountable and protecting kids online.
By equipping parents with the necessary tools to protect their children online, this legislation establishes reasonable guardrails that acknowledge the dangers of social media and effectively safeguard kids across the state. I’m thankful to my legislative colleagues for addressing this issue, and I look forward to its progress in the legislature.
Momentum Continues on Nuclear Energy
I am proud to have authored and supported multiple enacted laws this session to promote nuclear energy. The momentum has continued as the Assembly recently passed AB 472 with broad bipartisan support, further boosting the development of nuclear energy in our state. The bill provides production-based, non-refundable tax credits to aid in covering the capital costs of nuclear energy, while maintaining financial safeguards for ratepayers and the state.
At the same time, investors have confirmed an application to modernize and reopen the Kewaunee Power Station for next-generation nuclear production. This site once generated nearly 10% of Wisconsin’s electricity and now aims to be a benchmark for advanced nuclear power in Wisconsin. The development is remarkable news for the state, which is poised to lead on this new technology.
Conservation Congress Participation
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) is inviting state residents to participate in its annual spring hearing process. Ideas can be submitted as proposed resolutions now through Monday, Feb. 9th. The WCC is an independent organization of residents that advises the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on natural resource management.
Participants may submit no more than two resolutions per year, and the resolutions must meet the criteria outlined on the submittal form, including:
- The concern must be of statewide impact.
- The concern must be practical, achievable, and reasonable.
- The concern must be within the mission and vision of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.
Those interested in submitting a resolution can visit the DNR and WCC’s Spring Hearings webpage and fill out the submittal form. At the close of the submission process, the resolutions will be reviewed and prepared for the 2026 Spring Hearing. Please consider taking this opportunity to have your voice heard on natural resource issues.
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Contact Me
My office is always available to help with any state-related questions or concerns you may have. You can reach my office at (608) 237-9104, or email me at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
