United States of America: Governor implemented Executive Order No. 6 on prioritising children's mental health and digital environments

On 20 January 2026, the Governor of New Jersey adopted Executive Order No. 6 on prioritising children's mental health and digital environments with immediate effect. The Executive Order directs Executive Branch departments, offices, divisions, and agencies of the State of New Jersey, when executing duties related to children’s interaction with technology platforms, to prioritise children’s mental health outcomes in relation to technology, the internet, smartphones, and social media platforms. The Executive Order mandates interagency coordination facilitated by the Chief Operating Officer for matters concerning children’s mental health and online safety. It requires departments and agencies, within their statutory authorities, to review existing policies, programmes, data collection efforts, and regulatory frameworks to promote healthy and age-appropriate internet and social media use, prevent and mitigate harms including cyberbullying, deepfakes, online exploitation, and exposure to harmful or addictive content, support parents, caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers, encourage evidence-based digital well-being practices, and identify gaps in services, protections, or coordination. The Executive Order establishes within the Department of Health an Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness to collect and analyse information and develop recommendations, to operate in coordination with a planned higher education research centre, and specifies that implementation must be consistent with applicable State and federal law.