Kids Off Social Media Act
Sponsored By: Senator Brian Schatz
In Committee
Summary
Restricting children's access to social media accounts and limiting algorithmic targeting. This bill would bar most children under 13 from having social media accounts and would curb automated recommendation systems for users under 17.
Show full summary
- Parents and children: Platforms would be prohibited from permitting accounts for children under 13 and must delete existing child accounts. Families could request a readable, portable copy of a terminated child’s personal data within 90 days.
- Platforms and enforcement: Social media platforms would be barred from using personalized recommendation systems for users under 17, with a narrow exception that allows only basic attributes such as device type, language, city, and age for display purposes. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the rules and state attorneys general could bring parens patriae lawsuits, and platforms would be limited in how they collect and retain compliance-related data.
- Schools and E-Rate subsidies: Schools receiving discounted broadband under the Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) program would have to block social media on school-provided networks, adopt internet safety policies, and submit those policies to the Federal Communications Commission. Schools must certify compliance within 120 days of the first affected funding year and be fully compliant by the second program year or risk losing discounts and repaying funds.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
New school rules for blocking social media
If enacted, schools that get discounted Internet or services through the E‑rate program would have to certify they block student access to social media on school networks and devices, adopt Internet safety policies, and run technology protections and monitoring. The FCC would post submitted policies in a public database. The FCC must update rules within 120 days and schools must begin certifying in the first program funding year after enactment and reach full compliance by the second program year or risk losing discounts and having to repay funds. Limited waivers could extend some deadlines to the third program year.
FTC and states can enforce rules
If enacted, Title I violations would be treated like unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act and the FTC could use its full enforcement powers. State attorneys general could sue on behalf of residents but must notify the FTC first. The FTC could intervene and take the lead in cases it files. These enforcement provisions would take effect one year after enactment.
States can set stronger child rules
If enacted, the bill would limit federal preemption so it only overrides State law when there is a direct conflict. States could pass stronger protections for children and teens. The bill would also clarify it does not change how FERPA or COPPA apply.
Limits on recommended feeds for minors
If enacted, platforms would be banned from using personal data to power personalized recommendation systems for known children and teens. A narrow exception would let systems use only device type, languages, city or town, age, and child/teen status. The bill would also say when a platform "knows" a user is a child or teen must be based on reliable evidence and would not force platforms to add broad age‑gates. These Title I rules would take effect one year after enactment.
No social accounts for young kids
If enacted, platforms could not let children under 13 have accounts. Platforms would have to close existing child accounts and delete the child’s personal data. The child or an authorized representative could request a copy of that data within 90 days after termination, when technically feasible. Platforms could keep only a short record to show they followed the rule. Title I would take effect one year after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Brian Schatz
HI • D
Cosponsors
Ted Cruz
TX • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Christopher Murphy
CT • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Ted Budd
NC • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Angus King
ME • I
Sponsored 1/28/2025
John Curtis
UT • R
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Mark Warner
VA • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
John Fetterman
PA • D
Sponsored 1/28/2025
Elissa Slotkin
MI • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Angela Alsobrooks
MD • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Mark Kelly
AZ • D
Sponsored 6/25/2025
David McCormick
PA • R
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Lindsey Graham
SC • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in