Kids Off Social Media Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7399
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T12:40:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill establishes federal restrictions on social media access and features for minors, while updating school internet safety requirements to limit social media use on subsidized networks. It creates two main titles addressing these goals alongside a severability provision.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Title I (Kids Off Social Media Act):
- Defines "social media platform" as a public-facing service primarily offering user-generated content forums, funded by advertising or data sales; excludes email, gaming, news sites, educational tools, messaging services, and certain other categories.
- Prohibits social media platforms from allowing accounts or profiles for individuals under age 13 ("children") if the platform knows their age.
- Requires termination of existing child accounts and deletion of associated personal data, with a 90-day window for users to request a copy in readable and portable format.
- Bans use of personalized recommendation systems (automated systems suggesting content based on personal data) for users under age 17 ("teens"), except for limited data like device type, language, location, or age.
- Permits chronological display of user-selected content for teens and allows search results or safety measures without violating the rules.
- Directs enforcement determinations based on "knowledge fairly implied on the basis of objective circumstances," without requiring age verification or new data collection.
- Treats violations as unfair or deceptive acts under FTC authority, with state attorneys general able to bring civil actions as parens patriae.
- Title II (Eyes on the Board Act of 2025):
- Amends the Children's Internet Protection Act to require schools receiving discounted broadband services to certify and implement policies blocking student access to social media platforms via technology protection measures.
- Mandates monitoring of online activities for compliance and public disclosure of internet safety policies in a new FCC database.
- Provides phased implementation timelines, good-faith compliance protections, and reimbursement requirements for noncompliance.
- Exempts most libraries from these requirements.
- Title III: Includes a standard severability clause preserving remaining provisions if any part is invalidated.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Creates new nationwide prohibitions on social media accounts and algorithmic recommendations for minors, expanding beyond prior child privacy laws like COPPA.
- Modifies the Children's Internet Protection Act by adding social media platform blocking as a condition for school E-rate funding, with expanded certification and database requirements.
- Establishes FTC enforcement mechanisms modeled on existing unfair practices rules while allowing concurrent state actions.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government agencies: Increases FTC oversight of social media compliance and FCC administration of school funding certifications and policy databases.
- Citizens: Restricts minors' ability to create or maintain social media accounts and limits algorithmic content exposure; requires schools to enforce blocking on funded networks.
- International relations: No provisions address international matters or foreign entities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Social media platforms and their operators.
- Children (under 13) and teens (ages 12–16).
- Parents and guardians of minors.
- Elementary and secondary schools, school boards, and local educational agencies.
- Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission.
- State attorneys general.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Limits platform liability to cases of actual or implied knowledge without mandating new age-gating systems.
- Preempts conflicting state laws but permits states to enact stronger child protections.
- Preserves existing student privacy laws (e.g., FERPA) and COPPA without authorizing conflicting actions.
- Includes explicit protections against using compliance data for unrelated purposes or extended retention.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-05: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Kids Off Social Media Act — issued 2026-02-05 — PDF (35 pages)