Kids Off Social Media Act

Senate Bill

S. 278

119th Congress

Kids Off Social Media Act

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.

Introduced1/28/2025

StatusPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 108.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Kids Off Social Media Act

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.

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

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.

Bill Number: 278
Introduced: 1/28/2025
Status: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 108.
Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Kids Off Social Media Act
Bill Number: 278
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 108.
Introduced: 1/28/2025
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.

Data from Congress.gov

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

Kids Off Social Media ActThis 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. 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. 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. Under the bill, social media platforms 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.

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

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