The Massachusetts House will vote on a bill (H.5295) that would prevent young children from using social media and limit older teens’ access to it.
Lawmakers will vote on the proposal on Wednesday. The measure would prohibit children under 14 from creating or using social media accounts. Teenagers ages 14 and 15 could still use those platforms, but only with parental consent. At age 16, users would no longer need consent.
The proposal also goes beyond social media. It would require schools to restrict cellphone use during the school day, pushing districts to adopt formal policies banning personal devices in classrooms and during school activities.
Supporters say the bill addresses growing concerns about social media’s impact on children.
“This ban would be among the most restrictive in the entire country, helping to protect young people from harmful content and addictive algorithms that have a proven negative impact on their mental health,” House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, D-North End, and House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy, said in a statement.
The House is moving further than the Senate, which passed a separate measure (S.2581) last year focused on limiting cellphone use in schools. It never mentions social media restrictions.
Under the House plan, companies would need to verify users’ ages and give parents access to information their children submit online. The attorney general would write the rules to enforce the law, with a deadline set for September 2026. The restrictions would take effect in October.
The proposal reflects a larger national debate. Lawmakers in multiple states have tried to pass similar laws but have faced legal challenges along the way.
‘The right thing’ right now
Michlewitz acknowledged the legal uncertainty but said the House thinks it is acting appropriately.
“We feel that this bill is the right thing to be doing right now in the age that we’re living in and related to how aggressive these conversations have been, particularly for kids,” he said.
Critics argue the approach could create new problems. A tech industry group warned requiring identity verification could expose users to security risks and limit lawful speech online.
Even so, the House appears ready to move forward. If the bill passes, it would likely head to a conference committee where House and Senate lawmakers would try to reach a final agreement.
The measure puts parents closer to the center of decisions about their children’s online activity, though regulators would handle most of the enforcement details. That delegation could raise concerns about how much power unelected officials will have in shaping the rules.
