Washington – A new bill in Indiana would make it so that kids younger than 16 have to get permission from an adult before they can use any social media site.
Under Indiana Senate Bill 11, social media companies would have to stop people under 16 from using their sites if they didn’t have proof of parental agreement.
Jeff Harden is a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame and a father of children who live in the state. He says that people should start thinking about this bill and others like it, even though his children are too young for social media right now. “It’s certainly very important for parents to be thinking about safety with social media or online in general,” said Harden.
“I do think the issue of online safety has always been important and for parents especially it’s important,” Harden said.
If social media companies don’t follow the rules, the bill also lets people sue them. People whose kids get in without permission could be sued by their parents. Also, Indiana’s Attorney General could ban the child from the site and fine them $250,000 for each violation.
More than six other states have laws that are similar to this one. In 2023, Connecticut made it so that social media sites had to get permission from parents for kids under 16 to use their services. In 2024, Louisiana, Texas, and Utah all took different steps. The bill would start to work on July 1st if it passes.
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