Kids Off Social Media Act

Summary#

This bill would stop platforms it defines as social media from letting children under 13 create or keep accounts. Platforms must terminate existing accounts for users they know are under 13 and delete the child's personal data, while giving the child a 90-day window to request a copy of their data in a readable, portable format. The bill would also ban the use of personalized recommendation systems for users the platform knows are under 17, except when those systems use only limited data (device type, language, city or town, the fact the user is a child or teen, or age). The bill defines key terms (child, teen, personalized recommendation system, social media platform) and lists services that are not treated as social media platforms (for example, email, real-time teleconferencing, online learning systems, cloud storage, games, and internet access providers). Platforms are not required to add age-verification features or to collect new age data, and any age data collected voluntarily for compliance must be used only for that purpose and retained only as long as necessary.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would enforce the bill treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts. State attorneys general may also bring civil actions, with notice to the FTC and provisions for FTC intervention. The bill would preempt conflicting state laws but would allow states to enact stronger protections. The main title would take effect one year after enactment.

Title II amends the Children’s Internet Protection Act to require schools that receive discounted broadband support under section 254(h) to certify they block student access to social media on supported services, devices, and networks and to operate technology protection measures. Schools that fail to comply could lose eligibility for discounts or be required to reimburse funds. The FCC must amend rules within 120 days of enactment and the bill creates a public database of submitted internet safety policies.

What it means for you#

• If you are under 13: social media platforms covered by the bill could not allow you to register or keep an account, and platforms must delete your personal data after terminating the account (with a 90-day copy option).
• If you are a teen (ages 13–16): platforms covered by the bill could not use most personal data to feed algorithmic or personalized recommendations for you. Platforms could still show content you search for on your own, or content you follow if it is shown in chronological order.
• If you operate a social media platform: you must prevent accounts for known under-13 users, delete their data as required, and stop using personal data to personalize recommendations for users you know are under 17 except for limited data types. You are not required to build new age-verification systems, but if you voluntarily collect age data for compliance you are limited in how you may use and keep it.
• If you work for or manage a school that gets discounted broadband support: you must certify and enforce measures that block student access to social media on supported devices and networks, or risk losing discounts or having to repay funds.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on overall federal cost estimates or budgetary effects is included in the bill text. The bill text does state specific financial consequences: schools that knowingly fail to submit required certifications or to follow them may be ineligible for discounted services under section 254(h) or may be required to reimburse funds and discounts received for the period covered by the certification. The FTC and FCC enforcement provisions are described, but the bill does not include numerical cost or budget estimates.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.