Hunter
02/08/24
State House lawmakers are advancing a bill that would require anyone under 18 to get parental permission to create social media accounts.
The Des Moines Register reports House File 2255, sponsored by more than a dozen Republicans, would also seek to allow the Iowa attorney general and users to sue those companies for violating the parental authorization rules.
The bill advanced after a subcommittee consisting of two Republicans and one Democrat voted unanimously. The Democrat, Representative Sami Scheetz of Cedar Rapids, had questions on how the bill would be enforced, but says he understands firsthand the damage social media can be to the mental health of young people.
Parents or guardians would have to give express permission to minors for social media platform access, and would be allowed to revoke permission at any time. Companies would be required to provide the parent or guardian with a password or other means of access to monitor children’s posts, private settings, messages and time spent on the platform.
The legislation would also Iowans harmed by using social media to sue for up to $10,000 if a court rules that the company’s violation of the legislation was a direct cause of the harm.
Other states have attempted to enact similar legislation, but a tech trade group including the major platforms have sued and won temporary injunctions.
The Register also reports that a bill filed earlier this week by Democratic Senator Janet Petersen of Des Moines requires platforms to provide a means for Iowans to report material found on a platform that they believe is child sexual abuse, including if the user reporting the material is a minor.