Michigan Considers Legislation to Regulate Social Media Use for Minors
A new bill is under consideration in Michigan that could change the way minors interact on social media platforms. House Bill 4388 proposes requiring social media platforms with at least 5 million users to verify the ages of their users and obtain parental consent for those under 18 years old.
If passed, teens would only be able to create accounts with parental approval. These approved accounts would be designated as “minor accounts” and subject to additional restrictions. Parents would have access to their child’s posts and messages, along with the ability to set curfews on account usage.
Supporters of the bill argue that it would provide parents with more oversight, addressing concerns about youth mental health and the impact of social media on young users. They compare agreeing to social media terms of use to signing a contract, emphasizing that parents should take responsibility for their children’s online activities.
However, some digital rights groups, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, oppose the bill, citing potential privacy and security risks. Activists warn that the legislation could compromise user anonymity and hinder young people’s online expression and identity development.
Michigan schools have expressed difficulties in managing students’ social media use, prompting the discussion of regulatory measures. While the bill is currently being reviewed by the House Regulatory Reform Committee, it has not yet progressed to a full vote in the House or the Senate. A similar parental consent social media bill in 2024 did not succeed.
Sources: House Bill 4388, MLive, Detroit Free Press, Electronic Frontier Foundation, House Bill 5920 (2024).
