Key facts
- The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has reached a bipartisan agreement on regulating youth social media use.
- The proposed legislation, the Kids Off Social Media Act, aims to protect children and teenagers from harms associated with social media.
- Key provisions include prohibiting social media accounts for children under 13 and restricting algorithmic content recommendations for users under 17.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will be the primary enforcer, with state attorneys general also able to bring civil actions.
- Schools receiving E-Rate funding will be required to block social media on their networks and devices.
A bipartisan agreement has been reached in the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding the regulation of youth social media use. Committee leaders stated the deal would "hold Big Tech accountable." The legislation, known as the Kids Off Social Media Act, is the House companion to a Senate bill and aims to address growing concerns about the harms social media poses to children and teenagers, including impacts on mental health.
The bill proposes several key provisions, including a prohibition on social media accounts for children under the age of 13, requiring platforms to remove underage accounts and delete associated personal data. For teenagers under 17, the legislation would restrict the use of algorithmic targeting, preventing social media companies from using personal data to recommend or promote content. Enforcement of the bill would primarily fall to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with state attorneys general also empowered to bring civil actions against violators.
Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for schools receiving E-Rate funding, mandating them to block social media on school devices and networks and implement filtering technology. A coalition of 40 attorneys general has sent a letter to Congress in support of the bill's passage, with some urging for nationwide legislation that complements existing state laws.