Arlington, VA—On June 5, 2025, the American Consumer Institute (ACI) submitted public comments to Governor Phil Scott expressing concern over Vermont’s proposed Age-Appropriate Design Code legislation (S.69). While ACI supports the goal of improving child online safety, the letter warns that the bill’s vague language and reliance on subjective terms like “emotional distress” could lead to over-censorship, legal uncertainty, and constitutional challenges—particularly under the First Amendment.
ACI highlights that the empirical evidence connecting social media use to teen mental health outcomes remains weak and inconclusive, making the bill’s justification scientifically uncertain. The letter also points out that Vermont’s bill mirrors elements of California’s similar law, which has already been blocked by the courts.
Rather than codifying legally questionable standards, ACI urges Vermont to take a more measured approach—one grounded in clearer definitions and stronger research. Until a more robust understanding of the relationship between online platforms and youth mental health is established, ACI recommends postponing broad legislative action that may inadvertently harm consumers or violate constitutional protections.
Read the full letter below