WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce Committee has approved the Kids Off Social Media Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting children from potential harms associated with social media usage. The legislation, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), was selected as the first bill for consideration in the 119th Congress by Committee Chairman Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), signaling Senate Republicans’ ongoing focus on regulating Big Tech.
The bill, introduced by Senators Britt, Cruz, Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), seeks to establish a minimum age of 13 for social media usage and would prohibit social media companies from algorithmically targeting content to users under the age of 17. It also grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general.
Senator Britt emphasized the connection between social media use and the growing youth mental health crisis, stating, “Putting in place commonsense guardrails to protect our kids from the dangers of social media is a first step to stop our worsening mental health crisis.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported rising rates of mental health struggles among teenagers, particularly among young girls. A 2021 survey found that 57% of high school girls and 29% of high school boys felt persistently sad or hopeless, with nearly one-third of high school girls reporting they had seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year.
Studies have also pointed to a correlation between social media usage and declining mental health. Between 2019 and 2021, screen time among children increased significantly, with teens spending an average of 8 hours and 39 minutes per day on screens, while tweens (ages 8-12) averaged 5 hours and 33 minutes daily. These concerns were highlighted in a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General advisory, which called for policies to enforce age restrictions and limit engagement-driven algorithms.
The legislation has gained support from both parties, with additional co-sponsors including Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and John Curtis (R-Utah). Public opinion research has also indicated strong parental support, with a Count on Mothers survey showing that over 90% of mothers back a minimum age requirement for social media.
“The Senate Commerce Committee’s approval of the Kids Off Social Media Act is an important step forward to safeguard our children’s futures, put parents back in the driver’s seat, and hold Big Tech accountable,” Senator Britt said.
As the bill advances, its next steps will include further debate in the Senate. If passed, it would ultimately require approval from both chambers of Congress before reaching the president’s desk for signature.
