Gallego introduces bill requiring social media firms to get parental approval for users under 16

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Trending on The Hill - August 4, 2026

Trending on The Hill - August 4, 2026

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz) is introducing legislation Tuesday mandating social media platforms receive parental permission before children under 16 can create and keep accounts on the applications.

The measure would be the most significant requirement on social media companies operating in the U.S., raising the age threshold at least three years for some platforms.

The Parental Approval for Youth Social Media Act, first shared with The Hill, would ban users under 16 from creating or maintaining online profiles by default, but allow a parent or legal guardian to authorize accounts should they choose to.

Exceptions will be made for email, text messaging, educational platforms, video........

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