Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 108.
Introduced:Jan 28, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Brian Schatz
D - HI
Cosponsors
13
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Summary
This bill bans children under 13 from having social media accounts and prohibits platforms from using algorithms to recommend content to users under 17. Schools must block social media on networks receiving federal E-Rate funding.
Latest Action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 108.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill bans children under 13 from having social media accounts and prohibits platforms from using algorithms to recommend content to users under 17. Schools must block social media on networks receiving federal E-Rate funding.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Kids Off Social Media Act</strong></p><p>This bill limits children’s access to social media platforms and requires both platforms and schools to implement certain restrictions on children’s social media usage. </p><p>Specifically, the bill prohibits social media platforms from knowingly allowing children under the age of 13 to create or maintain accounts. Platforms must delete existing accounts held by children and any personal data collected from child users. Platforms are also generally prohibited from using automated systems to suggest or promote content based on personal data collected from users under the age of 17. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these provisions. States may also bring civil actions against platforms whose violations of these provisions have adversely affected their residents. </p><p>Further, as a condition of receiving discounted telecommunications service under the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-Rate) program, schools must enforce policies preventing the use of E-Rate-supported services, networks, and devices to access social media, and must use blocking or filtering technology to prevent such access. Schools that do not make a good faith effort to comply and correct known violations are required to reimburse any E-Rate support they received for the applicable period. Schools must also submit copies of their internet safety policies to the Federal Communications Commission for publication. </p><p>Under the bill, <em>social media platforms</em> are defined as public-facing sites that function primarily as forums for user-generated content. Some categories of online platforms are explicitly excluded, including sites that provide primarily videoconferencing, emailing, or educational services.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Bans social media accounts for children under 13
Prohibits algorithmic content for users under 17
Requires schools to block social media on E-Rate networks
Platforms must delete existing child accounts
FTC and states can enforce violations
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Children would lose access to social media platforms until age 13, and teens would not see algorithmically promoted content. Schools would need to block social media on federally subsidized internet connections.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Related Subjects
Business records
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Internet, web applications, social media
State and local government operations
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
278, 119th Congress (2025). "Kids Off Social Media Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-278