North Carolina advances under-14 social ban

North Carolina senators opened debate Wednesday on House Bill 301, a measure that would block social media accounts for children 13 and younger. (wral.com) The bill already passed the North Carolina House on May 6 by a 106-6 vote and was sent to the Senate the next day. (ncleg.gov) House Bill 301 would require TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and other platforms to keep children 13 and younger off their services and delete accounts those children already hold. (wral.com) Teenagers who are 14 or 15 could still open accounts, but only with consent from a parent or guardian under the bill. (wral.com) The proposal shifts enforcement onto tech companies, not families. Platforms could be fined up to $50,000 each time a younger child creates an account in violation of the law. (wral.com) Families of children who get accounts despite the restriction could also sue a company for up to $10,000 under the bill. (wral.com) Supporters say the proposal responds to the gap between platform rules and real use: major apps generally set a minimum signup age of 13, but lawmakers say younger children still get on easily. (wral.com 1) (wral.com 2) The bill lands as youth social media use remains widespread. Pew Research Center reported in December 2023 that 95% of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 use at least one social media platform, and more than one-third say they use social media almost constantly. (pewresearch.org) North Carolina officials have also joined broader legal fights with tech companies. In October 2023, North Carolina was part of a multistate lawsuit alleging Meta designed Facebook and Instagram features that addict children and teens. (ncdoj.gov) (ag.ny.gov) The next test is whether Senate lawmakers move House Bill 301 beyond committee and send it to Gov. Josh Stein, who would decide whether North Carolina makes the age limits law. (wral.com)