For children to use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, parental consent will be required starting in the next year.
This is from the “Protecting Minors from Social Media Act,” a law that was approved by the Tennessee General Assembly. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) stated that the bill will force social media companies to confirm the age of anybody attempting to register for an account.
During the floor debate earlier this year, Johnson stated, “If the attempt to create the account is made by a minor, then the bill would require the social media to verify that they have express consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian prior to becoming an account holder. “The bill will also require social media companies to provide parents a means by which the parent or legal guardian may supervise a minor’s account, including options for the parent to view privacy settings, set daily time restrictions and implement breaks, during which time the minor can’t access the account.”
According to Johnson, the bill also forbids businesses from contractually waiving any of the criteria, giving the Tennessee Attorney General the authority to enforce the rule.
“The evidence is clear: social media has harmful effects on children, teens and young adults,” Johnson stated. “Oftentimes young children create social media accounts without their parent’s knowledge or consent. The unsupervised use of social media by children is not only inappropriate but can be potentially harmful to those children. This legislation puts parents back in the driver’s seat of their children’s social media usage. It lays out clear steps social media companies must take to verify the ages of users to protect Tennessee children and empower parents.”
Before reaching the governor’s desk, the bill must make one more stop back in the House for an amendment.
According to an official from the governor’s office, Bill Lee plans to sign the bill. The bill will go into force in January after it is signed.
