ATLANTA – Georgia lawmakers say they are drafting legislation to make social media safer for children after a Senate committee spent months hearing from community members and experts. The proposals are expected to be taken up during the upcoming legislative session.

What we know:

Georgia lawmakers are joining states nationwide in pressing for tougher laws to hold social media companies accountable for children’s safety on their platforms and when those users interact with artificial intelligence.

The Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee spent months hearing from parents and experts about how to make the internet safer for kids.

What they’re saying:

Democratic state Sen. Sally Harrell, who co-chairs the committee, said it adopted its final report Wednesday.

She said lawmakers are working on bipartisan bills to address growing concerns about how social media, gaming, AI and other online platforms are affecting Georgia children. The proposals include legislation to prevent companies from using addictive design features in social media and games, as well as requirements for developers to test chatbots to ensure they are safe for children to interact with.

“Congress should be acting,” Harrell said. “This should be a congressional issue. It should be dealt with nationally. But Congress isn’t doing anything. They haven’t done anything to help our kids be safe online for almost 30 years. And so the states really feel like we have to take leadership on this.”

What’s next:

Lawmakers stressed that this is a bipartisan effort and encouraged the public to work with them, noting they are already receiving pushback from some of the companies that own and operate major social media platforms.

Georgia’s ruling party has introduced new legislation that would dramatically weaken protections for peaceful assembly, further shrinking democratic space and flouting basic human rights standards guaranteed by the country’s constitution and international law.

The bill, tabled on December 8, is being reviewed under an expedited procedure without a substantiated justification for bypassing the ordinary legislative timeline.

The bill’s provisions would significantly broaden the requirement that protest organizers submit written notification before holding an assembly. Current law requires prior notification five days before the protest only when it would block a road used by automobile traffic. The new bill would extend this requirement to any roadway intended for vehicles or pedestrians. In practice, the obligation would arise for almost all assemblies held on city streets, near administrative buildings, or around political institutions, severely limiting the ability to organize protests.

The draft law would also grant the police wide discretion to impose binding instructions on the time, location, or route of assemblies. These instructions could be justified on broad grounds including “protecting public order,” ensuring the normal functioning of institutions, preventing obstruction of pedestrian or vehicle movement, or allegedly protecting human rights. The vague phrasing of these provisions increases the risk of authorities’ arbitrary interference and unjustified restrictions on peaceful gatherings.

The bill also introduces harsh new penalties for administrative offenses related to assemblies. Failure to submit advance notification—currently punishable by a 2,000-Georgian lari (about US$742) fine—would carry up to 20 days of administrative detention. Failure to comply with a police order to relocate or terminate an assembly would be punishable by up to 15 days of detention for protest participants or up to 20 days for organizers. Repeated violations would constitute a felony, punishable by up to one year in prison for participants and up to four years for organizers.

The bill’s introduction comes at a time of intensifying efforts by Georgia’s authorities to curb pro-democracy protests. By expanding prior-notification requirements, increasing police discretion, and imposing severe penalties, the new legal provisions would effectively hollow out the right to peaceful assembly.

The Georgian government should withdraw the bill and ensure all regulation of public assemblies fully complies with democratic standards and Georgia’s human rights obligations.

Georgia football coaches Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo are up for some prestigious awards.

The Georgia Bulldogs are fresh off an SEC title, their second one in as many years, after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide by a final score of 28-7. Georgia is now in the hunt for a national title as the No. 3 seed in the college football playoffs.

A very successful season for the Bulldogs thus far, and as a result, two of their coaches are up for very prestigious awards.

Kirby Smart was announced a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was announced as one of five finalist for the Broyles Award.

Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo Named Award Finalists

The Eddie Robinson Award dates back to 1997. Smart would be the first ever coach to win the award. Last year’s winner was Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. Smart has been named SEC Coach of the Year three times during his time at Georgia, but he has never been acknowledged as the nation’s best coach in a season, despite having two national titles.

One award that Smart has won before is the Broyles award, which is what Bobo is a finalist for. Bobo would become just the second Georgia coach to ever win the award. The first to do so was Brian VanGorder, who won the award in 2003 as the defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs.

Georgia’s offense this season is averaging 31.9 points per game, 406.9 yards of offense per game, 186.6 rushing yards per game and 220.3 passing yards per game. Bobo has helped revamp Georgia’s offense this season after having some struggles just a season ago.

On top of that, Bobo has accomplished that with a first-year starting quarterback in Gunner Stockton and nearly a complete overhaul at offensive line due to players leaving for the NFL draft. The Bulldogs are one of the most efficient offenses in the country and Bobo has played a large role in that.

Coach Smart and Coach Bobo are now looking to help lead the Bulldogs to their third national title since Smart took over. They will play the winner of the Ole Miss vs Tulane game in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. If the Bulldogs advance, they will play the winner of Ohio State and Texas A&M/Miami. Georgia was awarded a first-round bye after winning the SEC Championship.

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