State laws for social media

As of February 2026: at least 17 states have enacted laws addressing minors’ access to or treatment on social media and/or “addictive feeds,” but litigation has left the landscape split between (a) laws currently enforceable, (b) laws enjoined, and (c) laws enacted but not yet in force (or awaiting rulemaking).

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this article is accurate, neither its authors nor The AVPA Ltd. accepts responsibility for any errors or omissions. The content of this article is for general information only, and is not intended to constitute or be relied upon as legal advice.

Information is believed to be correct as of (February 2026)

1^st July, 2023 (Minors’ Data – October 1, 2024)

Connecticut SB 3: Imposes minors-focused obligations on “social media platforms” (as defined in SB 3) within Connecticut’s privacy framework, including enhanced rights/controls for minors and related platform obligations; it is not a universal “parental-consent-to-open-an-account” statute.

1^st June 2024

HB24-1136: Certain social media platforms must display a large pop-up to users under 18 when the users open the platform for the first time that day. The platforms must then display another warning every 30 minutes. The law is currently stayed, following a recent challenge from NetChoice.

1^st September 2024

Texas HB 18: requires digital service providers such as social media platforms to get consent from a parent or guardian before entering into an agreement with minors younger than 18, including to create an account. (Currently enjoined pending appeal.)

1^st October 2024

Maryland Kids Code: requires social media platforms requires covered online products/services reasonably likely to be accessed by children to set default high privacy settings for users under 16, ban the collection of children’s data for personalised content and ensure age-appropriate design. (In effect; NetChoice litigation is ongoing and a motion-to-dismiss was denied, but no court order enjoining the Act was identified in current checks.)

Utah HB 464 & SB 194: The Social Media Regulation Act requires parental consent for minors to create social media accounts and mandates age verification by social media companies. It also restricts social media use between 10:30 PM and 6:30 AM for users under 18 without parental consent​. (Currently enjoined; appeal pending.)

17^th April 2025

Mississippi Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, HB 1126: Requires social media platforms to verify users’ ages via “commercially reasonable efforts,” obtain parental consent for minors, limit data collection and targeted advertising for under-18 users, and implement strategies to shield minors from harmful content. (Enforcement allowed to proceed during litigation)

1^st July 2025

Minnesota MN HF3488: Sets rules for compensating minors who contribute to online content creation. It requires content creators to keep records and set aside earnings for minors, and it allows for legal action against violators. Also mandates the removal of content featuring minors upon request.

1^st January 2026

Virginia SB 854: Requires social media platforms to determine if users are under 16 and limit minors to one hour per day unless parents adjust settings; violations subject to civil penalties. (Now in force; enforcement posture has been publicly signaled by the VA AG, while industry litigation continues.)

1^st July 2026

Nebraska LB 383: Requires social media platforms to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before allowing minors to create accounts, with parents granted rights to monitor activity and control settings.

February 2, 2026

South Caroline H3402: Age Appropriate Design Code Act signed with immediate effect and an immediate court challenge

TBC

New York SAFE for Kids Act: Requires social media platforms to determine users’ ages and gain parental consent before providing minors with algorithmic feeds, and restricts overnight notifications to children without consent. (Effective date is tied to final NY AG regulations; rulemaking was still in progress as of late 2025.)

Florida HB 3: Requires social media platforms to verify users’ ages, obtain parental consent for users under 18, protect minors’ personal data, and limit their exposure to harmful content. (A district-court preliminary injunction issued in June 2025 was later stayed on appeal; key provisions are currently enforceable pending continued litigation.)

Tennessee Public Chapter 899: Requires social media companies to verify the age of users attempting to create or maintain accounts. It mandates that platforms obtain parental consent for minors under 18 and enforces stricter privacy and safety measures for these users. The law aims to protect minors from potential online harms by ensuring that social media companies comply with these new regulations​. (In force; appellate proceedings are active as of Feb 2026.)

Georgia SB 351: Known as the “Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act of 2024,” requires social media platforms to implement age verification processes for users, mandates parental consent for minors to create accounts, and restricts social media use in schools. (Preliminarily enjoined June 26, 2025.)

Louisiana Act 456: Requires social media platforms to impose limitations and restrictions on certain accounts, implement age verification for account holders, and obtain parental consent. Permanently enjoined (Dec 2025)

California SB 976: Regulates algorithmic “addic­tive feeds” provided to minors rather than restricting account access. Social media platforms may not provide an addictive feed to a minor unless they have verifiable parental consent or reasonably determine the user is not a minor. The law also restricts late-night notifications and requires safety controls for minors. California DOJ rulemaking is underway, and platforms must implement age-determination measures by January 1, 2027. Portions of the law have been litigated, but core provisions remain in effect.

There have also been bills introduced attempting to regulate “addictive feeds.”: These propose to limit algorithmic feeds for minors. These include bills in Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington.