Safe Social Media Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6290

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-11: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-01-08T09:06:45Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Safe Social Media Act (H.R. 6290) aims to address concerns about teenagers' interactions with social media by mandating a federal study. Its primary goal is to examine how social media platforms collect and use personal data from users under age 17, assess usage patterns, and evaluate impacts on mental health, potentially informing future policies to protect young users.

Key Provisions

• Study Requirements: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (specifically the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use), must conduct a comprehensive study on social media use by individuals younger than 17. The study covers:
• Types of personal information (e.g., names, locations, or behaviors) collected by platforms.
• How this information influences platform algorithms (automated systems that recommend content).
• Use of the information for targeted advertising (ads tailored to users based on their data).
• Frequency of daily use among these individuals.
• Variations in usage across different age groups within this under-17 range.
• Links between social media use and mental health effects (e.g., anxiety or depression).
• Both potential harms (e.g., addiction or exposure to harmful content) and benefits (e.g., social connections) from prolonged use.
• Reporting Deadline: The agencies must submit a report to Congress within 3 years of the bill's enactment, detailing study findings and recommending any policy changes.
• Exemption from Paperwork Rules: The study is exempt from the Paperwork Reduction Act, which normally limits how federal agencies collect information from the public to reduce burdens.
• Definition of Social Media Platform: The term includes public websites, apps, or mobile services (like social networks or video-sharing sites) that mainly host user-generated content such as messages, videos, images, games, or audio. It excludes broadband internet providers (companies delivering internet access) and email services.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no direct amendments to current laws but creates a new mandate for a federal study. It builds on existing FTC authority over consumer protection and privacy (e.g., under laws like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) by requiring coordinated research with health experts. The exemption from the Paperwork Reduction Act streamlines the study process without altering broader federal information-collection rules.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The FTC and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will need to allocate resources for research, data analysis, and reporting, potentially straining budgets but fostering inter-agency collaboration on youth health issues.
• On Citizens: Teenagers under 17 and their families may indirectly benefit from evidence-based insights that could lead to stronger protections against data misuse or harmful content. It raises awareness of social media risks without imposing immediate restrictions.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on U.S. domestic platforms and users; however, findings could influence global discussions on youth online safety if shared internationally.
• Broader Effects: The study could pave the way for future regulations, such as limits on data collection from minors, affecting how platforms operate and potentially reducing targeted ads aimed at teens.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Teenagers Under 17: Primary focus group, whose data usage, habits, and well-being are examined.
• Social Media Companies: Platforms like those offering social networks or video sharing must provide information for the study, facing potential future scrutiny or rules.
• Parents and Guardians: Indirectly affected through insights on monitoring and protecting children's online activities.
• Federal Agencies: FTC (enforcing consumer protections) and HHS (overseeing mental health), responsible for conducting and funding the study.
• Congress: Receives the report and may act on recommendations, influencing policy-making.
• Researchers and Advocates: Youth privacy groups, mental health organizations, and tech ethicists could use findings to push for reforms.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill reinforces FTC's role in privacy oversight but is limited to a study, avoiding immediate enforceable rules. It could highlight gaps in existing laws protecting minors' data, potentially leading to amendments in areas like advertising or algorithms.
• Constitutional Implications: No direct challenges, as it involves research rather than content restrictions; however, future policies from the study might raise First Amendment (free speech) concerns if they limit platform operations or user expression.
• Political Implications: Bipartisan sponsorship (from Representatives Bentz and Schrier) signals broad concern over youth mental health amid growing debates on tech regulation. The 3-year timeline allows for evidence gathering without rushed action, but delays could frustrate advocates seeking quick protections. It positions Congress as proactive on a high-profile issue without alienating the tech industry immediately.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-11: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2025-12-11: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-11-25: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
• 2025-11-25: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-11-25: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Safe Social Media Act — issued 2025-11-25 — PDF (3 pages)