SCREEN Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1623
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-11: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:07:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net Act" (SCREEN Act) aims to protect minors from accessing online pornographic or otherwise harmful content by requiring certain websites and platforms to implement age verification technology. It addresses the limitations of past laws and technologies, emphasizing that shielding children from such material is a compelling government interest achieved through the least restrictive means.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- A "covered platform" is an interactive online service (like a website or app) engaged in U.S. commerce that regularly creates, hosts, or shares content "harmful to minors" for profit. "Harmful to minors" includes visual depictions that appeal to prurient (excessively sexual) interests, are patently offensive for children, lack serious value for minors, or qualify as obscene or child pornography (illegal explicit material involving minors).
- "Technology verification measure" refers to systems that reliably determine if a user is likely a minor (under 18) and block their access to harmful content.
- Other terms, like "minor" and "interactive computer service," draw from existing U.S. laws (e.g., Communications Decency Act).
- Requirements for Covered Platforms (effective 1 year after enactment):
- Must adopt and use age verification technology to confirm users are adults and prevent minors from viewing any harmful content on the platform.
- Verification cannot rely solely on users self-reporting their age; it must use reliable methods (e.g., ID checks or biometric tools), apply to U.S.-based users via IP addresses, and be publicly disclosed.
- Platforms can choose their methods or hire third parties, but remain fully responsible for compliance.
- Data collected for verification must be securely protected, retained only as long as needed for compliance, and not shared unnecessarily.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Role:
- The FTC must issue guidance within 180 days to help platforms comply, conduct regular audits (making processes public), and enforce rules by treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under the FTC Act (which allows fines and penalties).
- The FTC will consult experts in tech, child safety, privacy, and data security when enforcing or auditing.
- Reporting and Oversight:
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must submit a report to Congress 2 years after compliance begins, analyzing effectiveness, compliance rates, data security, impacts (e.g., psychological, economic), and recommendations for improvements.
- A severability clause ensures that if any part is ruled unconstitutional, the rest remains in effect.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Builds on prior failed efforts like the Communications Decency Act (1996) and Child Online Protection Act (1998), which the Supreme Court struck down for being overly broad and violating free speech (First Amendment) by restricting adult access.
- Shifts from ineffective voluntary tools like parental filters (noted as bypassed by kids and used by only 39% of parents) to mandatory, targeted age verification on platforms hosting harmful content.
- Does not alter Section 230 of the Communications Act (which shields platforms from liability for user content) but adds new obligations specifically for age-gating pornographic material, treating violations under FTC unfair practice rules rather than criminalizing speech outright.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FTC gains expanded enforcement duties, including audits and guidance, potentially increasing its workload and budget needs. No direct impact on international relations, though global platforms operating in the U.S. must comply.
- On Citizens: Minors and parents may benefit from reduced exposure to harmful online content, potentially lowering risks like addiction, anxiety, or risky behaviors (as cited in findings, where 80% of 12-17-year-olds encounter porn). Adults face added verification steps for access, raising privacy concerns over data collection, though limits aim to minimize retention and sharing.
- On Platforms and Economy: Covered sites (e.g., pornographic websites) must invest in verification tech, possibly raising operational costs and reducing traffic if users find barriers burdensome; this could affect ad revenue or user bases.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Covered Platforms: Primarily websites or apps profiting from hosting pornographic or harmful content, including major sites with high U.S. traffic.
- Minors and Families: Direct beneficiaries through blocked access, but indirect effects on family internet use.
- Adult Users: Required to verify age, impacting privacy and convenience.
- Tech Providers and Third Parties: Companies offering verification tools (e.g., age-check software) may see new business opportunities.
- Advocacy Groups: Child safety organizations and privacy advocates, who influence FTC consultations.
- Government Entities: FTC for enforcement; GAO for reporting; Congress for oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Likely to face First Amendment challenges, as past similar laws were invalidated for burdening adult speech; however, it cites Supreme Court precedents recognizing child protection as a "compelling interest" and positions verification as a "narrowly tailored" (least restrictive) approach, potentially avoiding overbreadth issues by targeting only harmful content platforms.
- Political: Reflects bipartisan concern over online child safety (sponsored by Republicans but addresses long-standing congressional findings); could spark debates on privacy vs. protection, influencing future tech regulations without creating new crimes—focusing instead on civil FTC penalties. The severability clause strengthens its resilience against partial court invalidation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]
Cosponsors (26)
Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-11: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2025-12-11: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (16 pages)