The Social Media Parental Notification Act, signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this year, is set to take effect next month in the Buckeye State.
The bill was passed as part of DeWine’s 2023-24 executive budget presented to the Ohio General Assembly.
The new law will require certain online companies to “obtain verifiable parental consent to contractual terms of service before permitting kids under the age of 16 to use their platforms” on January 15, 2024.
Companies affected by the legislation include the social media and online gaming platforms Facebook (Meta), Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. Online shopping companies are excluded from the requirements.
The affected companies must:
- Create a method to determine whether the user is a child under the age of 16;
- Obtain verifiable parental or legal guardian consent; and
- Send written confirmation of the consent to the parent or legal guardian.
In the case a user indicates that they are under the age of 16 via the splash page, the following methods can be used for verification:
- Sign a digital form consenting to the terms of service;
- Use a credit card, debit card, or other online payment system;
- Call a toll-free telephone number;
- Connect to trained personnel via video-conference; and
- Check a form of government-issued identification.
“It is a fact that tech companies are targeting children with addictive algorithms on social media, and it is negatively affecting their physical and mental health,” Lt. Governor Jon Husted said in a statement. “This new law gives parents a greater say in if, how and when their children use these platforms.”
Organizations across Ohio have applauded the new law, including the Prevention Action Alliance, Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, Ohio Children’s Alliance, Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers, and Cyber Dive.
According to the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, “Up to 95% of young people aged 13-17 report using a social media platform and nearly two-thirds of teenagers report using social media every day, and one-third report using social media “almost constantly.”
In addition, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, “Children and adolescents who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.”
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
