Policy will keep cellphones out of classrooms, establish new online protections for kids, and require safeguards for AI chatbots
DENVER, CO – Today, Michael Bennet released a policy platform to keep Colorado kids safe online and support families as they navigate the digital age. Colorado kids are growing up in an era of unprecedented technological change, and Michael’s plan will ensure Colorado enacts the strongest online child protections in the nation without sacrificing innovation or economic growth.
“Across Colorado, I hear the same concerns from parents, teachers, mental health professionals, and kids themselves: we’re facing a mental health crisis and social media and AI are making it worse,” said Michael. “We have an opportunity to take simple, common-sense steps, like bell-to-bell bans on cellphones in schools, which are proven to make our kids happier and healthier. As Governor, I will establish and strengthen children’s online protections, ensure new technologies are safe by design, and provide families the resources they need to make the best decisions for their kids.”
As a parent of three daughters who grew up in the digital era, Michael understands the benefits and challenges of online technology. This comprehensive policy platform brings parents, teachers, kids, and industry leaders to the table to enact smart protections that will make Colorado kids happier, healthier, and better prepared for the future.
Key commitments in Michael’s “Keeping Colorado Kids Safe Online” platform include:
- Keeping Cellphones Out of Classrooms: Michael will work with school districts and teachers to implement a statewide ban on cell phones in classrooms. Limitations on cellphone use already exist in some Colorado schools and have delivered promising results on student performance and mental health. As former superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Michael will work with parents and school districts to ensure policies establish clear communication pathways for parents, allow for exceptions for students with disabilities and those who need phones for learning or medical purposes, and keep safety a top priority.
- Helping Parents Support Their Children: Michael will push for increased parental controls for kids under the age of 13 and ensure parents have resources to make informed judgments about new technologies like AI, including requiring social media companies to limit notifications, implement warning labels, and add protections to reduce endless scrolling.
- Ensuring Artificial Intelligence is Safe for Kids: AI has the potential to be a transformational technology, but chatbots have already had devastating impacts on Colorado kids. Michael will place common-sense limits on AI chatbots, like requiring guardrails to prevent AI chatbots from encouraging self-harm, disordered eating, illegal activity, or engaging in sexually explicit interactions.
- Designing an Online Environment that Protects Our Kids: Michael will work with families, legislators, and social media companies to implement proactive measures, like a kids’ design code for social media platforms and targeted advertising protections to ensure the online environment supports Colorado’s kids instead of addicting them.
- Giving Kids a Seat at the Table: Kids deserve a voice in any policy that impacts them. Michael will work with kids, parents, educators, mental health providers, and other stakeholders to design the strongest online protections for kids in the nation.
Last month, Michael released his policy plan to tackle Colorado’s housing crisis, committing to a 30% increase in state-supported housing, support for first-time homebuyers, less bureaucracy and lower construction costs. As Governor, Michael will work with Coloradans across the state to enact bold plans that build a brighter future for the entire state.
