Michigan Senate votes to limit kids' access to addictive sites, apps

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Apr 29, 2026

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LANSING, Mich. — The Democratic-led Michigan Senate approved bills Wednesday that aimed to rein in technology companies' interactions with children, while some Republicans said the measures didn't go far enough.

The so-called "Kids Over Clicks" legislation would ban social media websites and mobile applications from providing addictive feeds of posts or photos to minors, unless their parents consent. The bills also attempt to prohibit notifications from being sent to children during the night and during the school day.

Senators voted 20-17 in favor of the new restrictions, with two Republicans, Sens. Mark Huizenga of Walker and Ed McBroom of Vulcan, joining most Democrats in support.

Before the votes, Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, said tech companies use algorithms to keep kids hooked on their products. Hertel labeled the lack of safety for children online a "crisis."

"Mental health professionals told us they're seeing more and more young people struggling with anxiety, depression and self-worth, driven in large part by what they're consuming online every single day," Hertel said. "Let's be clear: What we are facing is a public health crisis, affecting the mental and emotional well-being of an entire generation."

The bills define addictive feeds as websites or applications in which pieces of media generated by users are prioritized for display based on information associated with someone.

Hertel referenced the platform TikTok during his speech Wednesday on the Senate floor. But the legislation would appear to apply to social media sites like X, Instagram and Facebook.

The proposals would also bar chatbot operators from making features available to minor users that simulate companionship or use details regarding their physical or mental health.

Democrats introduced the four bills in December. The only Democrat who voted against them was Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-West Bloomfield.

Sixteen of the 18 Senate Republicans voted against the legislation. Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, called the bills a giveaway to trial lawyers and said he preferred a "simple ban" that says if someone is younger than 16 years old, they should have no access to social media.

"This is an epidemic, but unlike some epidemics, we know exactly how to stop it," Nesbitt said. "The question is whether we have the guts to do so."

The Senate bills would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled House to get to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk.

Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, said the Democratic bills didn't do enough to solve the problem and "bipartisan work" was ongoing on the subject.

"There are tons of opportunities to collaborate," Lindsey said. "Instead, what we see is the majority in this chamber deciding to put politics ahead of actually fixing problems for our kids."

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