New Jersey Gov. Sherrill Uses Budget Speech to Go After Big Tech
She called on the state legislature to work with her on her ‘Online Safety Agenda’
March 16, 2026 – Is Big Tech more harmful than Big Tobacco? New Jersey’s Governor Mikie Sherrill, D, believes it is, especially for kids
At her first state budget speech last Tuesday, Sherrill called for the state legislature to work with her administration on her "Online Safety Agenda,” a policy proposal that would require a minimum age for usage and warning labels for kids and establish a Social Media Addiction Observatory at a state University, among other things.
“In New Jersey, we’re not going to rely on Big Tech to come clean about the harm these technologies cause,” Sherrill said. “We’re going to lead the way, and give overworked parents some relief.”
Parents are increasingly concerned about how social media is affecting their children. A Pew Research study conducted in 2025 found that 44% of parents believe that social media had the biggest negative impact on teens today. Sherrill noted that she wants to provide parents who are concerned about these impacts more support from their state government.
Among the measures, Sherrill’s budget also requested a $125,000 proposal to establish an Office of Youth Online Mental Health within the New Jersey Health Department, aimed at research and recommendations for parents and lawmakers.
“The truth is, a new platform or feature rolls out every day, with the most advanced algorithms designed to addict us all,” Sherrill said “Trying to keep up with this would be a full-time job, and the platforms know it.”
Congress has been debating how best to protect kids online and has been working through a variety of legislative ideas. On March 5, the Energy and Commerce Committee passed the KIDS Act, a bill with a variety of new safety measures including parental control tools to establish strict privacy settings, safeguards against restricted communications, among other things.
Committee Democrats voted against advancing the bill, primarily out of a state law preemption provision that would nullify state’s laws that may have stricter standards, which could affect the Governor's ability to enact legislation like Sherrills.
Sherrill noted that this measure is personal for her and that she will not wait for the Federal Government to act.
“My four kids are between the ages of 14 and 20. And I can tell you with certainty: our country is failing our children when it comes to protecting them online.” Sherrill said.
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