Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511)
Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511) in Illinois: pending, effective 2028. Applies to Social media platforms and operating systems serving Illinois users. Age range: Under 18. Bans algorithmically targeted feeds for users under 18 (recommendations cannot be persistently tied to prior interac
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Category | Social Media |
| Status | pending |
| Effective date | 2028 |
| Age range | Under 18 |
| Applies to | Social media platforms and operating systems serving Illinois users |
Key requirements
- Bans algorithmically targeted feeds for users under 18 (recommendations cannot be persistently tied to prior interactions)
- Prohibits notifications to minors between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Stronger default privacy settings for minors, including shielding precise location and limiting digital currency transactions
- Platforms must confirm user age via a signal from the device operating system
- Fines up to $2,500 per child (unintentional) and $7,500 per child (intentional); Illinois AG enforcement
Notes
Signed by Governor Pritzker July 31, 2026 after passing both chambers unanimously. Takes effect in 2028. One of the broadest state feed-design laws; includes OS-level age signal requirement similar to Colorado SB26-051.
Frequently asked
What does Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511) require?
Bans algorithmically targeted feeds for users under 18 (recommendations cannot be persistently tied to prior interactions) Prohibits notifications to minors between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Stronger default privacy settings for minors, including shielding precise location and limiting digital currency transactions Platforms must confirm user age via a signal from the device operating system Fines up to $2,500 per child (unintentional) and $7,500 per child (intentional); Illinois AG enforcement
Who must comply with Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511) in Illinois?
Social media platforms and operating systems serving Illinois users
When does Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511) take effect and what is its status?
Effective 2028. Current status: pending. Signed by Governor Pritzker July 31, 2026 after passing both chambers unanimously. Takes effect in 2028. One of the broadest state feed-design laws; includes OS-level age signal requirement similar to Colorado SB26-051.
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Over Clicks — Youth Online Safety Package (SB 757-760) | Michigan | Social Media | pending | TBD (pending House) |
| Nevada Youth Online Safety Act (SB 63) | Nevada | Social Media | active | January 1, 2026 |
| Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901) | Arkansas | Social Media | blocked | N/A (enjoined) |
| Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) | California | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027 |
| California Addictive Features Ban for Under-16s (AB 1709) | California | Social Media | pending | TBD (awaiting Governor) |
| Healthier Social Media Use by Youth Act (HB 24-1136) | Colorado | Social Media | blocked | N/A (enjoined) |
| Online Protections for Minors (HB 3) | Florida | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 |
| Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act (SB 351) | Georgia | Social Media | blocked | July 1, 2025 (enjoined) |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: COPPA policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: Privacy Program Bundle (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: 2026 US Privacy Program Workbook (ciso.diy)