Michigan Senate Approves ‘Kids Over Clicks’ Bills, Targeting Nighttime Alerts and Tech Fines

TL;DR: Michigan’s Senate approved the “Kids Over Clicks” package, banning overnight notifications to minors and setting fines up to $50,000 for tech companies that break the rules.

The Senate voted on Wednesday, April 29, to pass Bills SB 757‑760, a suite of measures aimed at curbing the influence of social‑media algorithms on children. The legislation would prohibit platforms from sending push notifications to users under 18 between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., as well as during school hours. It also tightens rules on data collection, limits targeted advertising, and restricts advanced chatbots that could appear as personal confidants.

Violations would be enforced under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, with penalties ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 per breach. SB 759 codifies these fines, while SB 757 focuses on notification bans and age‑verification protocols. SB 758 addresses personal‑data safeguards, and SB 760 sets limits on chatbot interactions that could encourage harmful behavior.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, a Democrat from St. Clair Shores, framed the bills as a response to a public‑health crisis. He said Big Tech’s “exploitative and addictive algorithms have created a public health crisis affecting the mental and emotional well‑being of an entire generation of our kids.” Hertel added that parents have been left “without the tools they need” to protect their children online.

Sen. Darrin Camilleri, also a Democrat, echoed the sentiment, arguing that platforms prioritize profit over safety. Two Republican senators joined the vote, though Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt attempted, unsuccessfully, to add a broader ban on social‑media use for anyone under 16.

Business groups, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, warned that the bills could increase regulatory burdens and deter innovation. Nonetheless, the measures have bipartisan support in other areas, such as recent school‑policy changes limiting cellphone use.

The package now moves to the Michigan House of Representatives. If approved, it will be sent to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for final signature. The next step will test whether lawmakers can reconcile child‑protection goals with industry concerns before the bills become law.

What to watch next: The House’s response and any amendments that could reshape the fines or notification rules, followed by the governor’s decision.