Georgia’s Senate Bill 351, if signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, will require parental permission for children under 16 to create social media accounts and prohibits social media use on school devices. Similar laws have been enacted in other states such as Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Utah, while some in Congress are proposing parental consent laws for minors. The bill passed the House 120-45 and the Senate 48-7, and is considered “transformative” by Republican Sen. Jason Anavitarte. State Rep. Scott Hilton argued that social media is causing harm to children’s mental health, while opponents warned that the bill may have negative consequences such as limiting educational content access for students.
A number of other states including Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Utah passed laws last year requiring parental consent for children to use social media. In Arkansas, a federal judge blocked enforcement of a law requiring parental consent for minors to create new social media accounts. Some in Congress are also proposing parental consent laws for minors as well. State Rep. Scott Hilton expressed concerns about the negative impact of social media on children, while Rep. David Wilkerson warned of potential issues with the bill, such as limiting teachers’ ability to show educational YouTube videos. The bill requires social media services to verify users’ ages by 2025, treat unverified users as minors, and require parental consent for children under 16 to join a service.
Up to 95% of teens aged 13 to 17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use them “almost constantly.” The bill aims to protect children by limiting customization of ads and information collection for children under 16. It also seeks to shut down porn sites by requiring age verification through government-issued identification, with companies facing fines of up to $10,000 if minors access the sites. The Free Speech Coalition argues that the bill would be ineffective and unconstitutional, and has sued multiple states over similar laws. The ban on school social media excludes some activities such as email, news, gaming, online shopping, and academic sites, while requiring updated anti-bullying programs.
The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has warned that social media may not be safe for young people, calling on tech companies, parents, caregivers, and policymakers to take action to protect children. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced it was taking steps to verify ages and provide age-appropriate experiences for teenagers on its platforms. Dozens of U.S. states, including California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc., alleging that the company’s features addict children to its platforms and contribute to a youth mental health crisis. Florida recently passed a law banning social media accounts for children under 14 and requiring parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.
Overall, the passing of Georgia’s Senate Bill 351 highlights the increasing concern over the impact of social media on children’s mental health and safety. While proponents argue that the bill will protect children from harmful content and behaviors online, opponents raise concerns about potential negative consequences and limitations on educational tools. The bill’s focus on parental consent, age verification, and restrictions on social media use in schools reflects a broader trend towards regulating children’s access to online platforms. As the debate continues, policymakers, tech companies, and advocacy groups will need to address the complex challenges surrounding children’s social media use and work towards solutions that prioritize child safety and well-being.
