WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(1)–(6) "Addictive feedAddictive feed"Addictive feed" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application, or a portion thereof, in which multiple pieces of media generated or shared by users are, either concurrently or sequentially, recommended, selected, or prioritized for display to a user based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user's device, unless any of the following conditions are met, alone or in combination with one another: (a) The information is not persistently associated with the user or user's device, and does not concern the user's previous interactions with media generated or shared by others; (b) The information consists of search terms that are not persistently associated with the user or user's device; (c) The information consists of user-selected privacy or accessibility settings, technical information concerning the user's device, or device communications or signals concerning whether the user is a minor; (d) The user expressly and unambiguously requested the specific media or media by the author, creator, or poster of the media, or the blocking, prioritization, or deprioritization of such media, provided that the media is not recommended, selected, or prioritized for display based, in whole or in part, on other information associated with the user or the user's device, except as otherwise permitted by this chapter and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (e) The media consists of direct, private communications between users; (f) The media recommended, selected, or prioritized for display is exclusively the next media in a preexisting sequence from the same author, creator, poster, or source and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (g) The recommendation, selection, or prioritization of the media is necessary to comply with this chapter.Sec. 1(1)" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application, or a portion thereof, in which multiple pieces of mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) generated or shared by users are, either concurrently or sequentially, recommended, selected, or prioritized for display to a user based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user's device, unless any of the following conditions are met, alone or in combination with one another: (a) The information is not persistently associated with the user or user's device, and does not concern the user's previous interactions with mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) generated or shared by others; (b) The information consists of search terms that are not persistently associated with the user or user's device; (c) The information consists of user-selected privacy or accessibility settings, technical information concerning the user's device, or device communications or signals concerning whether the user is a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4); (d) The user expressly and unambiguously requested the specific mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) or mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) by the author, creator, or poster of the mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3), or the blocking, prioritization, or deprioritization of such mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3), provided that the mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) is not recommended, selected, or prioritized for display based, in whole or in part, on other information associated with the user or the user's device, except as otherwise permitted by this chapter and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (e) The mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) consists of direct, private communications between users; (f) The mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) recommended, selected, or prioritized for display is exclusively the next mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) in a preexisting sequence from the same author, creator, poster, or source and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (g) The recommendation, selection, or prioritization of the mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) is necessary to comply with this chapter. (2)(a) "Addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2)" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feedAddictive feed"Addictive feed" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application, or a portion thereof, in which multiple pieces of media generated or shared by users are, either concurrently or sequentially, recommended, selected, or prioritized for display to a user based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user's device, unless any of the following conditions are met, alone or in combination with one another: (a) The information is not persistently associated with the user or user's device, and does not concern the user's previous interactions with media generated or shared by others; (b) The information consists of search terms that are not persistently associated with the user or user's device; (c) The information consists of user-selected privacy or accessibility settings, technical information concerning the user's device, or device communications or signals concerning whether the user is a minor; (d) The user expressly and unambiguously requested the specific media or media by the author, creator, or poster of the media, or the blocking, prioritization, or deprioritization of such media, provided that the media is not recommended, selected, or prioritized for display based, in whole or in part, on other information associated with the user or the user's device, except as otherwise permitted by this chapter and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (e) The media consists of direct, private communications between users; (f) The media recommended, selected, or prioritized for display is exclusively the next media in a preexisting sequence from the same author, creator, poster, or source and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (g) The recommendation, selection, or prioritization of the media is necessary to comply with this chapter.Sec. 1(1) as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. (b) "Addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2)" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage. (3) "MediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3)" means text, audio, an image, or a video. (4) "MinorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4)," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state. (5) "OperatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5)" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application. (6) "ParentParent"Parent" means a parent or guardian.Sec. 1(6)" means a parentParent"Parent" means a parent or guardian.Sec. 1(6) or guardian.
Section 1 establishes the definitions that govern the entire chapter. The two most consequential definitions are addictive feed — an algorithmically personalized content feed — and addictive internet-based service or application — any platform that offers such a feed as a significant part of its service. The addictive feed definition is structured as a broad default with seven carve-outs: non-persistent signals, search terms, privacy or device settings, expressly user-requested content, private messages, sequential content from the same source, and compliance-driven recommendations. Platforms limited to commercial transactions, consumer reviews, or cloud storage are excluded from the covered platform definition entirely.
The Operator definition is notably broad — any person who operates or provides an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application — though obligations throughout the chapter attach only to operators of addictive internet-based services or applications specifically.
(1) 1 An operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) shall estimate the age of minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4) users with a reasonable level of certainty appropriate to the risks that arise from the data management practices of the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5).
(2) 2 An operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) shall not use any personal information collected to estimate age or age range for any other purpose or retain that personal information, other than the estimated age or age range, longer than necessary to estimate age. Age assurance shall be proportionate to the risks and data practice of a service or application.
Section 2 imposes two interrelated obligations on operators of addictive internet-based services. First, operators must estimate the age of minor users with a level of certainty proportionate to the risks arising from their data management practices. Second, any personal information collected for age estimation may not be repurposed for other uses and must be deleted once age estimation is complete — only the resulting age estimate or age range may be retained. This data minimization requirement ensures that age verification does not become a backdoor for expanded data collection.
(1)(a)–(b) 3 It shall be unlawful for the operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) to provide an addictive feedAddictive feed"Addictive feed" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application, or a portion thereof, in which multiple pieces of media generated or shared by users are, either concurrently or sequentially, recommended, selected, or prioritized for display to a user based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user's device, unless any of the following conditions are met, alone or in combination with one another: (a) The information is not persistently associated with the user or user's device, and does not concern the user's previous interactions with media generated or shared by others; (b) The information consists of search terms that are not persistently associated with the user or user's device; (c) The information consists of user-selected privacy or accessibility settings, technical information concerning the user's device, or device communications or signals concerning whether the user is a minor; (d) The user expressly and unambiguously requested the specific media or media by the author, creator, or poster of the media, or the blocking, prioritization, or deprioritization of such media, provided that the media is not recommended, selected, or prioritized for display based, in whole or in part, on other information associated with the user or the user's device, except as otherwise permitted by this chapter and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (e) The media consists of direct, private communications between users; (f) The media recommended, selected, or prioritized for display is exclusively the next media in a preexisting sequence from the same author, creator, poster, or source and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (g) The recommendation, selection, or prioritization of the media is necessary to comply with this chapter.Sec. 1(1) to a user unless: (a) Prior to January 1, 2026, the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5) does not have actual knowledge that the user is a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4); or (b) Commencing January 1, 2026, the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5) has reasonably determined that the user is not a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4).
(2) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit an operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) from filtering or removing mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) for minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4) users, consistent with the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5)'s policies, procedures, or terms of service.
Section 3 is the bill's core prohibition: operators may not serve an addictive feed to a minor. The standard shifts on January 1, 2026. Before that date, an operator violates the section only if it has actual knowledge the user is a minor. After that date, the operator must have affirmatively and reasonably determined the user is not a minor before serving the feed. This is a significant inversion — the burden shifts from knowledge-of-minor to verified-not-a-minor.
Subsection (2) is a savings clause clarifying that operators remain free to filter or remove media for minor users consistent with their own policies.
(1) 4 Prior to January 1, 2026, it shall be unlawful for an operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2), between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., in the user's local time zone, and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., from Monday through Friday from September through May in the user's local time zone, to send push notifications to a user if the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5) has actual knowledge that the user is a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4) unless the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5) has obtained verifiable parental consent to send those push notifications.
(2) 4 Commencing January 1, 2026, it shall be unlawful for an operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2), between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., in the user's local time zone, and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., from Monday through Friday from September through May in the user's local time zone, to send push notifications to a user whom the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5) has not reasonably determined is not a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4) unless the operatorOperator"Operator" means a person who operates or provides an internet website, an online service, an online application, or a mobile application.Sec. 1(5) has obtained verifiable parental consent to send those notifications.
(3) Nothing in this section shall restrict the ability of an operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) to send notifications to a user regarding software updates, security alerts, or other information regarding the integrity or maintenance of the user's account.
Section 4 restricts operators from sending push notifications to minors during overnight hours (12:00–6:00 a.m.) and school hours (8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, September through May), adjusted to the user's local time zone. The same two-phase knowledge standard from Section 3 applies: before January 1, 2026, the restriction is triggered by actual knowledge the user is a minor; after that date, it applies unless the operator has reasonably determined the user is not a minor. In both phases, verifiable parental consent overrides the restriction.
Subsection (3) carves out notifications about software updates, security alerts, and account integrity or maintenance, ensuring that security-critical communications are not blocked.
(1)–(4) 5 The operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) shall provide a mechanism through which any user, whether or not they are a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4), may choose to do any of the following: (1) Limit their access to any addictive feedAddictive feed"Addictive feed" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application, or a portion thereof, in which multiple pieces of media generated or shared by users are, either concurrently or sequentially, recommended, selected, or prioritized for display to a user based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user's device, unless any of the following conditions are met, alone or in combination with one another: (a) The information is not persistently associated with the user or user's device, and does not concern the user's previous interactions with media generated or shared by others; (b) The information consists of search terms that are not persistently associated with the user or user's device; (c) The information consists of user-selected privacy or accessibility settings, technical information concerning the user's device, or device communications or signals concerning whether the user is a minor; (d) The user expressly and unambiguously requested the specific media or media by the author, creator, or poster of the media, or the blocking, prioritization, or deprioritization of such media, provided that the media is not recommended, selected, or prioritized for display based, in whole or in part, on other information associated with the user or the user's device, except as otherwise permitted by this chapter and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (e) The media consists of direct, private communications between users; (f) The media recommended, selected, or prioritized for display is exclusively the next media in a preexisting sequence from the same author, creator, poster, or source and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (g) The recommendation, selection, or prioritization of the media is necessary to comply with this chapter.Sec. 1(1) from the addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) to a length of time per day specified by the user; (2) Limit their ability to view the number of likes or other forms of feedback to pieces of mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) within an addictive feedAddictive feed"Addictive feed" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application, or a portion thereof, in which multiple pieces of media generated or shared by users are, either concurrently or sequentially, recommended, selected, or prioritized for display to a user based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user's device, unless any of the following conditions are met, alone or in combination with one another: (a) The information is not persistently associated with the user or user's device, and does not concern the user's previous interactions with media generated or shared by others; (b) The information consists of search terms that are not persistently associated with the user or user's device; (c) The information consists of user-selected privacy or accessibility settings, technical information concerning the user's device, or device communications or signals concerning whether the user is a minor; (d) The user expressly and unambiguously requested the specific media or media by the author, creator, or poster of the media, or the blocking, prioritization, or deprioritization of such media, provided that the media is not recommended, selected, or prioritized for display based, in whole or in part, on other information associated with the user or the user's device, except as otherwise permitted by this chapter and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (e) The media consists of direct, private communications between users; (f) The media recommended, selected, or prioritized for display is exclusively the next media in a preexisting sequence from the same author, creator, poster, or source and, in the case of audio or video content, is not automatically played; (g) The recommendation, selection, or prioritization of the media is necessary to comply with this chapter.Sec. 1(1); (3) Require that the default feed provided to the user when entering the internet-based service or application be one in which pieces of mediaMedia"Media" means text, audio, an image, or a video.Sec. 1(3) are not recommended, selected, or prioritized for display based on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user's device, other than the user's age or status as a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4); (4) Set their account to private mode, in a manner in which only users to whom the user is connected on the addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) may view or respond to content posted by the user.
Section 5 requires operators to provide all users — not just minors — with a set of four self-management tools: (1) a daily time limit on addictive feed access, (2) the ability to hide likes and engagement metrics, (3) the option to switch the default feed to a non-personalized version, and (4) a private account mode. These obligations apply to every user regardless of age, making this a universal-design requirement rather than a minor-specific protection. The non-personalized feed option in subsection (3) permits age or minor-status information to be used, preserving the operator's ability to serve age-appropriate content even in the non-personalized mode.
This chapter shall not be construed as requiring the operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) to give a parentParent"Parent" means a parent or guardian.Sec. 1(6) any additional or special access to, or control over, the data or accounts of their minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4) child.
Section 6 is a savings clause clarifying that nothing in the chapter requires operators to grant parents additional or special access to, or control over, the data or accounts of their minor children. This limits the scope of parental-control obligations and ensures the bill does not inadvertently create a parental surveillance mandate.
6 Compliance with this chapter by the operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) does not serve as a defense to any claim that a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4), or an individual who was a minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4) at the time of using the internet-based service or application, might have against the operator of an addictive internet-based service or applicationAddictive internet-based service or application"Addictive internet-based service or application" means an internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application including, but not limited to, a social media platform, that offers users or provides users with an addictive feed as a significant part of the service provided by that internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application. "Addictive internet-based service or application" does not apply to: (i) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application for which interactions between users are limited to commercial transactions or to consumer reviews of products, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof; or (ii) An internet website, online service, online application, or mobile application that operates a feed for the primary purpose of cloud storage.Sec. 1(2) regarding any harm to the mental health or well-being of the minorMinor"Minor," unless otherwise specified, means an individual under 18 years of age who is located in Washington state.Sec. 1(4).
Section 7 provides that compliance with the chapter does not serve as a defense to any claim a minor (or former minor) may bring against an operator for harm to the minor's mental health or well-being. This is a significant anti-preemption and anti-safe-harbor provision — operators cannot argue that meeting the chapter's specific requirements insulates them from common-law or other statutory claims related to minor harms.
The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business, and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.
Section 8 declares that the practices covered by this chapter vitally affect the public interest and that a violation constitutes an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition under Washington's Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86). This is the bill's enforcement mechanism — it makes every violation of the chapter a per se CPA violation, giving the Attorney General enforcement authority and potentially exposing operators to CPA damages and penalties.
It is the intent of the legislature that if any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
Section 9 is a standard severability clause providing that if any provision of the chapter is held invalid, the remaining provisions are not affected.
Sections 1 through 9 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.
Section 10 directs that Sections 1 through 9 be codified as a new chapter in Title 19 RCW (Trade and Commerce).
If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2025, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.
Section 11 imposes a critical contingency: unless specific funding referencing this act by bill or chapter number is provided in the omnibus appropriations act by June 30, 2025, the entire act is null and void. This is a common Washington legislative mechanism that can effectively kill a bill without a formal veto.