Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have proposed new legislation aimed at safeguarding the well-being of minors using social media platforms.
The proposed law named the "Social Media Parental Notification Act" requires companies such as Byte Dance’s TikTok, Meta Platform Inc.'s META Instagram, and others to secure the approval of one parent before allowing minors under 16 to use the apps.
See Also: The Rise Of Trust And Safety On Social Media Platforms And Marketplaces
The proposed bill was submitted last week to state lawmakers as part of DeWine's 2023-'24 executive budget.
What’s the goal of this new project? In an interview with FOX19 Now, Husted stated it was aimed at combating the rising concern of mental health disorders, including suicide, among teenagers, which studies suggest has a direct link to excessive social media use.
Husted added: “The verdict is in: social media is harmful to kids and we have to do more to protect them.”
Meanwhile, if the bill passes in both Ohio's House and Senate, it will become law once signed by Gov. DeWine. The proposed law would give companies a 90-day window to comply with the new regulations.
According to Husted, companies that fail to comply with the new law could face penalties, including monetary fines.
Ohio is not the only state in the U.S. considering this type of measure: Connecticut and Utah are planning similar bills.
Photo by Christopher Ryan on Unsplash
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