Colorado’s Attorney General Phil Weiser is working to introduce tougher regulations for social media companies. He aims to reduce illegal activity and address the growing concerns surrounding youth mental health. This initiative has become an important part of his campaign for governor in 2026 and is also a key measure of his influence with the state’s Democratic lawmakers.
This new bipartisan legislation is designed to push social media companies to take greater responsibility for monitoring illegal activities on their platforms. It calls for stricter action against illegal behaviours such as the promotion of drugs, firearms, sex trafficking, and pornography. The bill also mandates that social media companies cooperate more effectively with law enforcement agencies when such illegal activities are discovered.
The proposed law, which received initial approval from the state Senate on Tuesday, also requires companies to report several key pieces of information. This includes how they handle cases involving illegal activities like fentanyl trafficking and a breakdown of how many Colorado residents use their platforms.
Additionally, the bill calls for companies to provide data on the amount of time minors spend on their platforms and the content they interact with, especially content deemed inappropriate or harmful.
Weiser emphasized the importance of responsible oversight. He stated, “We need to be doing more to protect our kids, and these platforms need to be more responsible in how they operate.”
Weiser’s push for stronger regulation comes at a time when many are concerned about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, with some critics arguing that platforms expose children to harmful content and addictive behaviours.
A similar bill introduced last year failed to pass, and Weiser believes that the additional material that was included in the bill contributed to its downfall. He remains optimistic that this more streamlined version of the legislation will gain approval. Despite previous setbacks, Weiser is determined to move forward with the measure as it remains one of his top priorities.
In addition to the legislative efforts, Weiser’s office is also pursuing legal action against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The lawsuit accuses Meta of knowingly allowing harmful content to spread on its platforms, content that many believe is designed to keep children hooked and addicted.
The lawsuit claims that Meta’s actions violate consumer protection laws, and Weiser’s office is working to hold the company accountable for the alleged harm it causes to young users.
This ongoing push to regulate social media platforms more tightly highlights lawmakers’ growing concerns about social media’s negative effects on youth and tech companies’ role in facilitating illegal and harmful activities. As the debate continues, the outcome of this legislation could have significant implications for social media regulation across the country.
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