RESET Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6488
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-05T08:07:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Reducing Exploitative Social Media Exposure for Teens Act (RESET Act) aims to protect minors under the age of 16 from potential harms on social media by prohibiting certain online platforms from allowing them to create or maintain user accounts or profiles. It seeks to reduce exploitative exposure, such as inappropriate content or data collection, by enforcing age restrictions and data deletion.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Accounts for Minors: Covered platforms (defined as large online services like social media sites, based on the TAKE IT DOWN Act) cannot allow individuals under 16 to create or keep accounts if the platform has actual knowledge or willfully disregards the user's age.
- Termination of Existing Accounts:
- Platforms must identify known minor accounts within 60 days of enactment.
- Notify affected users within 180 days.
- Terminate accounts within 30 days of notification.
- Data Handling:
- Upon termination, platforms must immediately delete all personal data (e.g., information like names, emails, or usage history, as defined under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act or COPPA) collected from or submitted by the minor.
- Minors (or their guardians) can request a copy of their data within 90 days of termination; platforms must provide it in a readable, understandable, and portable digital format within 45 days, if technically possible without violating licenses.
- Enforcement:
- Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act, allowing the FTC to investigate, fine, and penalize platforms using its existing powers.
- State attorneys general can sue on behalf of residents for injunctions, compliance, damages, or other relief, but must notify the FTC first and cannot act if a federal case is pending against the same party for the same violation.
- Preemption and Effective Date: Overrides conflicting state or local laws on this topic. Takes effect one year after enactment, except for specified timelines.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a strict nationwide ban on under-16 accounts on covered platforms, going beyond current laws like COPPA (which focuses on privacy for under-13s but allows parental consent for data collection) by mandating account bans and data deletion without exceptions for consent.
- Expands FTC authority to treat age-based account allowances as deceptive practices, similar to existing consumer protection rules, but applies it specifically to social media access.
- Limits state actions to avoid overlapping enforcement, while preserving states' general investigative powers (e.g., subpoenaing evidence).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The FTC gains expanded enforcement tools and resources to monitor large platforms, potentially increasing its workload and budget needs. State attorneys general can pursue local remedies but face coordination hurdles with federal actions.
- On Citizens: Minors under 16 and their families lose direct access to covered platforms, which could limit educational or social benefits but reduce risks like cyberbullying, exploitation, or privacy breaches. Parents may need to oversee data requests during transitions.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though global platforms (e.g., those operating in the U.S.) may face compliance challenges if they serve international users, potentially influencing how other countries approach youth online protections.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Covered Platforms: Social media companies (e.g., those meeting the size and function criteria from the TAKE IT DOWN Act) must invest in age verification, account scanning, and data management systems, facing fines for non-compliance.
- Minors Under 16 and Families: Directly restricted from platform use, affecting communication, entertainment, and information access; they gain privacy protections through data deletion.
- Parents and Guardians: Indirectly impacted as supervisors, with rights to request data copies but added responsibility for alternatives to restricted platforms.
- Enforcement Bodies: FTC and state attorneys general, who enforce the law and represent public interests.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal oversight of online platforms under consumer protection laws, with built-in data portability echoing GDPR-like rights (EU privacy rules) but tailored to U.S. enforcement. Preemption clause could limit state innovation in child safety laws, potentially leading to legal challenges over federal overreach.
- Constitutional: May raise First Amendment concerns if platforms argue that age bans infringe on free speech or expression for minors, though courts have upheld similar restrictions (e.g., for child labor or obscenity). Privacy rights are bolstered via mandatory data deletion, aligning with Fourth Amendment principles against unreasonable data retention.
- Political: Reflects growing bipartisan focus on youth mental health and tech accountability, but could spark debates over parental rights versus government intervention, or enforcement feasibility (e.g., accurate age detection without invasive surveillance). Success depends on FTC rulemaking and potential court tests of "knowledge" standards (actual awareness or willful ignorance).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-12-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Reducing Exploitative Social Media Exposure for Teens Act — issued 2025-12-05 — PDF (8 pages)