The National Conference of State Legislatures has awarded the 2024 Notable Document Award to the Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison for its "Report on Emerging Technology and Its Effects on Youth Well-Being." The award, decided by a panel of experienced legislative librarians, acknowledges documents that explore topics relevant to legislators and legislative staff and present substantive material in an exceptional format.
This is the second time Attorney General Ellison’s Office has received this recognition. In August 2020, the organization granted the same award for the report from the Attorney General’s Advisory Task Force on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices.
“When you find yourself lost, the first thing you need is a map,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison. “A lot of Minnesotans feel lost when it comes to emerging technologies like social media. Parents, policymakers, and even young people themselves know something is wrong. They see social media harming kids, but because this technology is so new, many people don’t know exactly how that harm is being caused or what can be done about it."
“My Office’s goal when preparing our Report on Emerging Technology was to provide Minnesotans with a map to a better and safer future for young people online. I appreciate the Legislature’s partnership in this effort. I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the safety and well-being of kids across our state,” concluded Attorney General Ellison.
Last year, the Minnesota Legislature tasked Attorney General Ellison's office with producing the report. Issued in February 2024, it aims to help the public and policymakers understand how emerging technologies like social media affect young people's well-being. The report also examines previous legislative efforts to mitigate these harms and offers recommendations for creating a more positive online environment for young people in Minnesota.
The Minnesota legislature used insights from the report when drafting the Prohibiting Social Media Manipulation Act (HF 4400/SF 4696), which mandates social media platforms disclose key information about their operations. This Act goes into effect on July 1, 2025. Non-compliance will allow enforcement by the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Ellison has taken additional steps to safeguard children from social media-related harms. In October 2023, he joined a bipartisan coalition of 33 attorneys general in suing Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over features detrimental to young people's mental health. Furthermore, Ellison is involved in a nationwide investigation into whether TikTok violated state consumer protection laws through harmful features.
The "Report on Emerging Technology and Its Effects on Youth Well-Being" is available on Attorney General Ellison’s website.