A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Representative Joanna King
Last action: 2026-01-05
Official status: Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Social Media Rules for Kids

This bill sets rules for social media companies about allowing kids younger than 14 to create accounts and how parents can control their use.

What This Bill Does

It says that a social media company cannot let someone under 14 make an account unless they get permission from the child's parent.
If a kid gets an account, the company must give the parent a special password to set limits on how the kid uses it.
The company has to check if people using their service are over 14 and close accounts for kids under 14 who don't have permission from parents.
Companies must make it easy for kids or parents to end an account at any time.

Who It Names or Affects

Social media companies
Parents of children under 14
Children under 14

Terms To Know

verifiable parental consent: When a parent gives clear permission for their child to have a social media account.
account holder: A person who has an account on a social media platform.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if the company makes a mistake about someone's age.
It is unclear how often companies must check users' ages.
There are no details on specific penalties for breaking these rules.

Bill History

2026-01-05 House
Authored by Representative King
2026-01-05 House
Coauthored by Representatives Behning, Teshka
2026-01-05 House
First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.
Minor access to social media.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.

Minor access to social media.

Provides that a social media provider that meets specified conditions (provider) may not create an account for an individual who is less than 14 years of age (minor) unless the provider receives verifiable parental consent to creation of the account from a parent of the minor. Requires a provider that creates an account for a minor to: (1) provide the minor's parent with the option of receiving a separate password that allows the parent to set limits on the minor's use of the account; and (2) configure the account in a specified manner, including by disabling access by the account holder to specified features and functionality of the social media platform. Requires a provider to: (1) periodically verify the age of each Indiana account holder; and (2) terminate an account if: (A) the provider determines that the Indiana account holder is a minor; and (B) the provider did not receive verifiable parental consent for the creation of the account; subject to a specified process by which an account holder may dispute the provider's determination. Requires a provider to: (1) provide a minor account holder and the minor's parent with a clearly explained, simple to use, and easily accessible means of terminating the minor's account; and (2) terminate the minor's account within a specified time after receiving a request for the account's termination. Provides requirements for a provider's use and retention of information provided to the provider for purposes of verifiable parental consent. Provides that a provider that creates or maintains an account for a minor in violation of these requirements is subject to a civil action by the minor or a parent of the minor, and specifies remedies available to a prevailing plaintiff in such an action. Provides that the attorney general may independently enforce these requirements under the attorney general's authority to enforce Indiana law regarding unfair trade practices.