To require that social media platforms verify the age of their users, prohibit the use of algorithmic recommendation systems on individuals under age 18, require parental or guardian consent for social media users under age 18, and prohibit users who are under age 13 from accessing social media platforms.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill, To require that social media platforms verify the age of their users, prohibit the use of algorithmic recommendation systems on individuals under age 18, require parental or guardian consent for social media users under age 18, and prohibit users who are under age 13 from accessing social media platforms., changes federal law or congressional policy affecting technology companies and users of digital services. The main policy domain is Technology, Government Operations, Trade.
Who Benefits and How
technology companies and users of digital services may benefit from new authority, funding, eligibility, regulatory clarity, or reduced risk created by the bill.
Who Bears the Burden and How
federal implementing agencies, technology companies and users of digital services may take on implementation duties, reporting obligations, compliance costs, or oversight responsibilities.
Key Provisions
- Section H8B0CFC5614054114A0A82B86E3E6AE2E: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act.
- Section H52B5E85D73964572BC8909D5FA418D69: 2. Definitions In this Act: The term algorithmic recommendation system means a fully or partially automated system that suggests, promotes, or ranks...
- Section H33364293B87349D4884DBE2F9B54E326: 3. Reasonable steps for age verification A social media platform shall take reasonable steps beyond merely requiring attestation, taking into account existing...
- Section H1C3D99C7DD614FE79AEF0CC4DCD94B86: 4. No children under 13 A social media platform shall not permit an individual to use the platform (other than merely viewing content, as long as such viewing...
- Section H73A996E4E5D34757AA8E0B264C5EFFE4: 5. Parent or guardian consent for minors A social media platform shall take reasonable steps beyond merely requiring attestation, taking into account current...
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
This bill, To require that social media platforms verify the age of their users, prohibit the use of algorithmic recommendation systems on individuals under age 18, require parental or guardian consent for social media users under age 18, and prohibit users who are under age 13 from accessing social media platforms., changes federal law or congressional policy affecting technology companies and users of digital services.
Key Policy Areas
Technology, Government Operations, Trade
Primary Purpose
This bill, To require that social media platforms verify the age of their users, prohibit the use of algorithmic recommendation systems on individuals under age 18, require parental or guardian consent for social media users under age 18, and prohibit users who are under age 13 from accessing social media platforms., changes federal law or congressional policy affecting technology companies and users of digital services.
Policy Domains
Whole bill
Identified Gains
- technology companies and users of digital services
Identified Costs
- federal implementing agencies
- technology companies and users of digital services
Sponsors
John James
R-MI | Primary Sponsor
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. James (for himself and Mr. Ryan) introduced the following …
Impact analysis is available but no clear stakeholder effects identified. View clause-level analysis →
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_commission"
- → The commission identified in the operative section
- "secretary_of_commerce"
- → Secretary of Commerce
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
information that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable to an individual, household, or consumer device. The term social media platform means an online application or website that— offers services to users in the United States
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology