HR 9948
Addictive Design Act of 2026
TL;DR
Rep. Becca Balint's Addictive Design Act of 2026 targets social media platforms and apps that use engagement-maximizing features like infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds designed to hook users, especially minors. It would restrict these 'addictive' design patterns and likely give the FTC enforcement authority, following a growing wave of state laws like California's and New York's.
How This Might Impact Your Business
Social media platforms, video sharing apps, and gaming companies using algorithmic recommendation feeds, autoplay, infinite scroll, or push notifications would face new design restrictions, particularly for users under 18.
Consumer-facing apps that rely on engagement metrics (streaks, variable rewards, personalized content ranking) may need to disable these features by default for minor accounts.
Platforms would likely need age verification systems and separate 'non-addictive' experiences for younger users, adding meaningful engineering and compliance costs.
FTC enforcement is the probable mechanism, meaning violations could trigger civil penalties in the tens of thousands per incident, similar to COPPA enforcement.
Ad-supported business models that depend on session length and engagement (Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Snap, and smaller ad-tech vendors) would see direct revenue impact from reduced minor engagement.
Ed-tech and children's content platforms may get carve-outs, but the bill's exact exemptions will be determined in committee markup.
Currently in committee (Energy and Commerce, plus Education and Workforce), so no immediate compliance deadline, but expect state-level copycats to move faster.
What Should You Do
Ask your product team to inventory which features on your platform could be classified as 'addictive design' (autoplay, infinite scroll, algorithmic feeds, streaks, push notifications).
Have legal review your current teen and minor user policies against existing state laws (California SB 976, New York SAFE for Kids Act) as a preview of federal requirements.
If you monetize minor users through engagement, model the revenue impact of turning off algorithmic feeds and autoplay for under-18 accounts.
Assign someone to track Energy and Commerce Committee activity on HR 9948 and flag any markup or hearing announcements.
Evaluate your age verification and parental consent infrastructure now, since this will be foundational for compliance under any final version.
Who It Affects
Sponsors
Status Timeline
committee
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
July 27, 2026