Kids Off Social Media Act

Summary#

This bill would stop children under age 13 from having accounts on covered social media platforms. It would also stop platforms from using personalized recommendation systems for users under age 17, except when the system uses only limited data (device type, language, city or town, and age/that the user is a child or teen). Platforms must delete personal data of terminated child accounts, while allowing a 90-day window for the child to request a copy of their data. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the rules and State attorneys general may also bring civil actions. The main title would take effect one year after enactment.

Title II amends the Children’s Internet Protection Act so that schools that receive broadband subsidies (under section 254(h)) must certify they prevent students from accessing social media platforms on supported services, devices, and networks. Schools must use technology protection measures and monitor whether students can access social media on those networks. The FCC would issue rules and enforce this change, and schools that knowingly fail to comply may have to repay funds. The FCC must also create a public database of submitted internet safety policies.

What it means for you#

• If you are under 13: covered social media platforms may not allow you to create or keep an account. Platforms must delete your personal data after terminating an account, with a 90-day window to request a copy.
• If you are 13–16 (a teen): platforms may not use personalized recommendation systems that rely on your personal data, except for a short list of allowed data types (device type, language, city/town, and age/child-or-teen status).
• If you run or work for a social media platform: you must prevent accounts for users under 13, stop using personalized recommendation systems for users under 17 except as allowed, delete personal data for terminated child accounts, and comply with FTC enforcement.
• If you work for a school that gets discounted broadband funding: your school must certify it prevents student access to social media on supported networks, run technology protection measures, submit internet safety policies to the FCC, and may need to repay funds if it knowingly fails to comply.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on federal cost estimates in the bill text. The bill does state that schools that knowingly fail to comply with certification requirements must reimburse funds and discounts received under section 254(h) for the period covered by the certification.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.