Kids Off Social Media Act
Kids Off Social Media Act
Plain Language Summary
# Kids Off Social Media Act Summary **What It Would Do** The Kids Off Social Media Act would restrict children's access to social media platforms by prohibiting companies from allowing anyone under 13 to have accounts and requiring deletion of existing child accounts and their data. For teens under 17, platforms would be banned from using algorithms to suggest or promote content based on personal information collected about them. Schools receiving federal discounts for internet service would also be required to implement policies limiting student social media use during school time. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily impacts social media platform companies (like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc.), children under 13, teenagers under 17, schools, and state governments.
The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the rules, and states could sue platforms for violations that harm their residents. **Current Status** The bill (S 278) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. The bill addresses concerns about child safety, data privacy, and social media's effects on young people, though it represents a significant regulatory shift in how platforms operate.
CRS Official Summary
Kids Off Social Media ActThis bill limits children’s access to social media platforms and requires both platforms and schools to implement certain restrictions on children’s social media usage. Specifically, the bill prohibits social media platforms from knowingly allowing children under the age of 13 to create or maintain accounts. Platforms must delete existing accounts held by children and any personal data collected from child users. Platforms are also generally prohibited from using automated systems to suggest or promote content based on personal data collected from users under the age of 17. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these provisions. States may also bring civil actions against platforms whose violations of these provisions have adversely affected their residents. Further, as a condition of receiving discounted telecommunications service under the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-Rate) program, schools must enforce policies preventing the use of E-Rate-supported services, networks, and devices to access social media, and must use blocking or filtering technology to prevent such access. Schools that do not make a good faith effort to comply and correct known violations are required to reimburse any E-Rate support they received for the applicable period. Schools must also submit copies of their internet safety policies to the Federal Communications Commission for publication. Under the bill, social media platforms are defined as public-facing sites that function primarily as forums for user-generated content. Some categories of online platforms are explicitly excluded, including sites that provide primarily videoconferencing, emailing, or educational services.
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 108.