A new bill proposed in Indiana seeks to safeguard children under the age of 16 by requiring parental consent for social media use. The bill would mandate that social media companies verify parental consent before allowing access to their platforms for minors. It also opens the door for legal action against companies that fail to comply.
A new proposed bill in Indiana aims to safeguard children under 16 by mandating parental consent for social media use. The legislation would require social media companies to restrict access to their platforms for any user under the age of 16 unless they provide verifiable parental consent . Jeff Harden, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame and father of children residing in the state, emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in online safety.
While his children are currently too young for social media, Harden acknowledges the growing need for parents to actively engage in discussions about online risks and responsible usage. 'It's certainly very important for parents to be thinking about safety with social media or online in general,' Harden stated. 'I do think the issue of online safety has always been important and for parents especially it's important,' he added. The bill also introduces legal ramifications for social media companies that fail to comply with the parental consent requirement. Parents would have the right to sue if their child gains access to a platform without their permission. Furthermore, Indiana's Attorney General could intervene, barring the minor from using the site and imposing a $250,000 civil penalty for each violation. David Schweidel, a marketing professor at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, highlights the bill's intent to shift responsibility from users to platforms. 'Now we're putting the onus on the platforms to say no you can't just take the kids word for it that the parent said that they can have it. You actually need the parent to sit down and sign off on it,' Schweidel explained. The bill reflects a growing trend in other states. Over half a dozen states have implemented similar legislation, with Connecticut leading the way in 2023 by requiring parental consent for users under 16. Louisiana, Texas, and Utah followed suit in 2024, each adopting varying approaches to address online safety concerns for minors. If approved, the Indiana bill would take effect on July 1st
Social Media Parental Consent Child Protection Legislation Indiana
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