New IRL Act Invests in the Places and Programs That Bring People Together
The Foundation for Social Connection Action Network (F4SCAN) is excited to support the introduction of the In Real Life (IRL) Act, new federal legislation from U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) that puts social connection and community infrastructure at the center of the policy conversation.
At a time when loneliness and social isolation are taking a significant toll on individuals, communities, and our nation, the IRL Act offers a new approach: generating dedicated resources to invest in the places, programs, and institutions that bring people together.
We are excited about the possibilities this legislation presents—and we hope its introduction is just the first step in a broader national discussion about how we strengthen social connection, rebuild social capital, and invest in the infrastructure that helps communities thrive.
Investing in Social Connection
The IRL Act proposes two interconnected policy approaches: a digital advertising tax on the largest algorithmic social media platforms and the creation of a new Social Capital Fund to invest those revenues in communities.
Under the proposal, the largest social media corporations would pay a tax on digital advertising revenue, with a 50% rate applying to revenues above $10 billion. A $500 million exemption is intended to limit the tax to large platforms, while lower rates would apply below the $10 billion threshold.
Revenue generated by the tax would support the new Social Capital Fund, providing communities with resources to strengthen the institutions, programs, and physical spaces that create opportunities for people to connect.
Potential investments could include:
- Recreational sports and community programs;
- Parks and other public gathering spaces;
- Arts programs, festivals, and community events;
- Public libraries;
- Parent-teacher organizations and school-based initiatives;
- Programs promoting responsible technology use;
- Community-based programs offered by membership organizations; and
- Efforts that connect people with volunteer opportunities, organizations, and other ways to become engaged in their communities.
Under the legislation, 75% of Social Capital Fund resources would go directly to local and Tribal governments using the existing Community Development Block Grant formula. The remaining 25% would be distributed competitively to high-impact initiatives proposed by local governments, Tribes, charities, and membership organizations.
The Fund would be administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which would also evaluate funded programs and identify promising practices that could be replicated in other communities.
Building a Sustainable Investment in Connection
For F4SCAN, the introduction of the IRL Act represents an important opportunity to advance the conversation about how public policy can help create the conditions for stronger social connection.
“Loneliness and social isolation carry a serious public health and economic toll, yet we’ve built no sustained funding stream to address it. This legislation changes that by asking the platforms that profit from engagement-driven design to help fund the community infrastructure that rebuilds real connection,” said Andrew MacPherson, Founder and Board Chair of the Foundation for Social Connection Action Network.
Starting a National Conversation
Addressing loneliness and social isolation will require more than any single piece of legislation. It will require sustained attention to the policies, programs, environments, and institutions that make meaningful human connection possible.
That is why we are particularly encouraged by the conversation the IRL Act can help start.
We hope its introduction serves as a catalyst for a national discussion about social connection as an essential component of individual and community well-being—and about the role government, communities, businesses, philanthropy, and civil society can each play in strengthening our social fabric.
Creating stronger, more connected communities requires intentional investment. The IRL Act puts forward one approach for making that investment sustainable and bringing greater attention to an issue that affects communities across the country.
F4SCAN looks forward to engaging policymakers, partners, and communities in this important conversation and advancing solutions that make social connection a national priority.
Read the Press Release
Read the text of the IRL Act
Read a summary of the IRL Act
Read a section by section explainer of the IRL Act