Social media; requiring certain warning on social media platforms. Effective date.
Summary
SB 693 creates a new law requiring social media platforms to display a prominent warning message to users. The warning must appear to first-time users and once per day for existing users, last 60 seconds, and cannot be dismissed early. The required message states that there is reasonable evidence social media is hazardous to mental health, especially for young children, teenagers, and young adults.
The bill defines “social media platform” broadly as an online service that allows registered users to create accounts or profiles, generate content, and interact with user-generated content. It excludes text messaging platforms and platforms whose primary purpose is education or health care. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to sue platforms that violate the warning requirement and to seek injunctive or other court-ordered relief. The act would take effect November 1, 2025.
Impact
SB 693 would add a new section to Title 75A of the Oklahoma Statutes and impose a state-level disclosure mandate on covered social media platforms. It would create compliance obligations for platform operators, potentially affecting user onboarding and daily access flows, while giving the Attorney General enforcement authority through civil action. The bill would not regulate text messaging services or platforms primarily used for education or health care, narrowing its reach to mainstream social media services.
Sentiment
The available legislative history shows clear support at the committee level, with the Senate Technology & Telecommunications Committee voting 8-0 to do pass the bill. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate in the provided materials. Overall, the vote suggests a favorable or at least noncontroversial reception in committee, though the bill’s subject matter indicates it is aimed at a policy concern about social media and mental health.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s compelled warning language, which makes a strong factual claim that social media is hazardous to mental health, particularly for minors and young adults. Potential concerns may include whether the warning is supported by sufficient evidence, whether it burdens platform operations by forcing a non-dismissible 60-second interruption, and whether the Attorney General enforcement mechanism could lead to litigation. The bill’s exceptions for education and health care platforms also suggest possible questions about scope and classification of services.