DATE: March 26, 2026
CONTACT: Richard Nelson
(richard@commonwealthpolicy.org)
SUBJECT: CPC Calls on Kentucky Senate to Pass HB 227
in Wake of Landmark Big Tech Verdict
FRANKFORT, KY — Commonwealth Policy Center Executive Director Richard Nelson issued the following statement after a jury found Meta Platforms Inc. liable for consumer safety violations and endangering children on its platforms.
“This verdict is a big win for parents and confirms what many have seen for years. Social media companies like Meta have endangered children with harmful content, failed to protect minors from child predators, and pushed addictive algorithms that keep kids hooked at the expense of their mental health and safety,” said CPC Executive Director Richard Nelson.
It was revealed at trial that internal Meta documents and communications showed “repeated warnings from Meta employees and outside child safety experts about dangers present on Meta’s platforms,” according to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. Meta knew about serious risks to minors including exposure to harmful content, failure to keep those under age 13 off the platform, and weak safeguards against child predators.
In light of the landmark verdict, Nelson said that the Kentucky State Senate should immediately act on HB 227, which would restrict minors 15 and under from social media, (unless parents opt-in). The bill requires the largest platforms to perform their own age verification.
“It’s clear that big tech social media companies like Meta put profit over protecting vulnerable children,” Nelson said. “Kentucky cannot afford to wait for more damage to be done to our children. Now is the time for the state Senate to act and pass HB 227.”
The bill passed the Kentucky state House by a 96-0 unanimous vote on March 9.
