Georgia kids would need parental permission to join social media if Senate Republicans get their way

Senate Republicans in Georgia are aiming to introduce a law that would mandate parental consent for children to access social media platforms. Similar to regulations in other states, this law would require explicit permission from parents for minors to create accounts on social media sites. The proposal, set to be presented in 2024, could potentially extend its reach to other online services as well.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas, both prominent Republicans in the Georgia state Senate, declared their intention during a news conference on Monday. They emphasize the importance of empowering parents to manage their children’s online activities, citing the fact that many parents lack the knowledge to regulate content effectively.

Anavitarte draws attention to the Louisiana law passed recently, which serves as a model for Georgia’s potential legislation. This law stipulates that social media platforms must verify the age of account holders and cannot permit individuals under 18 years of age to join without the explicit consent of their parents.

This move aligns with other states like Arkansas, Texas, and Utah, which have also passed similar laws this year, requiring parental approval for minors to access social media. At the federal level, there are also discussions about implementing parental consent regulations for minors on online platforms.

The motivation for these laws is tied to concerns about the safety and well-being of young individuals on social media. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned in May about the potential risks posed by social media to young people and called for immediate actions to protect them. He urged tech companies, caregivers, and policymakers to address the issue collaboratively, paralleling the regulation of other safety measures like car seats and baby formula.

Current federal regulations prohibit social media platforms from allowing children under the age of 13 to sign up, yet many youngsters manage to evade these restrictions. According to Pew Research Center, a substantial majority of teenagers aged 13 to 17 use social media platforms, with a significant portion using them frequently.

Anavitarte also aims to bolster Georgia’s laws against cyberbullying. He intends to reintroduce a proposal from 2022 that would oblige schools to warn students and parents about potential criminal consequences related to certain forms of bullying.

Additionally, Anavitarte has had preliminary discussions with Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram. The lawmakers plan to collaborate with the social media giant regarding their proposed regulations.

While these measures are intended to enhance child safety online, critics, including advocates of free speech, express concerns that the regulations could lead to restricted access to information and potentially even make it harder for adults to access certain content. The new laws could potentially require individuals to use government-issued identification to verify their age on these platforms, mirroring requirements already in place on some adult websites due to regulations in states like Louisiana, Utah, and Virginia. However, legal challenges against such laws have been raised, with varying outcomes in different jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Parental Consent

More about Parental Consent

• Louisiana law requiring social media age verification
• U.S. Surgeon General’s warning about social media risks for youth
• Pew Research Center’s findings on teen social media usage
• Meta Platforms’ efforts for age verification and safety
• Challenges to age verification laws and free speech concerns