A new report from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warns that emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and social media, are having increasingly harmful effects on young people. The report, released in February 2025, expands on prior findings and offers policy recommendations to mitigate the risks posed by manipulative platform designs, privacy violations, and AI-driven content distribution.
The “Report on Emerging Technology and Its Effects on Youth Well-Being” details a range of negative impacts, including online bullying, exposure to disturbing content, privacy invasions, and compulsive technology use. According to the findings, many platforms employ AI-powered algorithms that promote addictive engagement patterns, exposing young users to harmful material while fostering social comparison and mental health issues.
The report highlights how AI-driven recommendation algorithms often serve youth disturbing or inappropriate content without their intent. It also notes that many minors report being targeted for sextortion and online harassment facilitated by loose privacy settings and unchecked user interactions.
Social media platforms, according to the report, encourage compulsive use through features like infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and engagement-based optimization. Studies cited in the report found that these design choices contribute to poor sleep, anxiety, and negative self-image among young users.
Minnesota has joined other states in legal action against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for allegedly designing features that harm youth mental health. The report builds upon this litigation, outlining policy recommendations that include banning deceptive platform design, strengthening privacy protections, and mandating transparency in AI-driven content delivery.
It also proposes new model legislation that could serve as a blueprint for state and federal lawmakers. These include stricter data privacy laws, limitations on engagement-based algorithmic recommendations, and protections against AI-generated non-consensual imagery.
As AI becomes more integrated into digital platforms, the report warns that the risks to young users will only intensify. Ellison hopes the findings will guide policymakers in crafting effective regulations that balance technological innovation with consumer safety.
The full report is available on the Minnesota Attorney General’s website.
Need Help?
If you have questions or concerns about Minnesota AI guidelines, or any global guidelines, regulations and laws, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight, and ensure you’re informed and compliant.
