In
2025, a wave of state-level legislation is actively restricting teen
social media use, with approaches including age verification, mandatory
parental consent, and bans on addictive algorithms. Federal proposals like
the "Kids Off Social Media Act" are also under
consideration, while parents and health experts recommend family-led
restrictions.
Federal Legislative Efforts
At the federal level, the Kids Off Social Media Act has been reintroduced in the 119th Congress (2025-2026). This proposed bill aims to:
Prohibit children under the age of 13 from creating or maintaining social media accounts.
Ban social media platforms from using algorithmic recommendation systems to push targeted content to users under the age of 17.
Require
schools receiving E-Rate program discounts to limit social media access on
their networks.
Another key federal effort is the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which the Senate passed with bipartisan support in a previous session and is expected to be reintroduced. Additionally, in 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General recommended a health warning label on social media platforms due to potential negative mental health effects, an idea supported by several states.
State-Level
Regulation in 2025
As of 2025, at least 12 states have enacted or are working on laws, with measures varying from outright bans for younger teens to specific restrictions. These laws typically fall into the following categories:
Age Bans & Parental Consent: States like Florida and Utah require age verification and parental consent for minors to use social media. A new Nebraska law in 2025 requires parental consent for minors under 18 to open accounts.
Algorithmic Restrictions: California and New York enacted laws in 2024/2025 that prevent platforms from using "addictive algorithms" or features designed to increase use in relation to minor accounts without parental consent.
Time Limits & School Bans: A new Virginia law, effective January 1, 2026, will restrict users under 16 to one hour per day on social media platforms by default, a limit parents can adjust. Many states are also implementing policies that ban or restrict cell phone use in schools.
Liability
and Warning Labels: Vermont passed legislation in 2025 that imposes a duty
of care on businesses to design online services in a way that avoids emotional
distress or compulsive use in minors. Minnesota also passed a law requiring
platforms to display a warning label about potential negative mental health
impacts.
Many of these state laws face legal challenges, often related to First Amendment rights, leading to court injunctions in some cases.
Parental
and Expert Recommendations
In parallel with legislative action, health experts and organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasize the role of parents in managing social media use. Recommendations for families include:
Creating a Family Media Plan: Use resources like the HealthyChildren.org Media Plan to set clear boundaries and guidelines.
Designating Tech-Free Zones: Establish screen-free areas and times, such as bedrooms at night and the dinner table, to encourage offline interaction and better sleep.
Open Dialogue: Talk to teens about how social media makes them feel and help them develop digital literacy to recognize when online experiences are harmful.
Delaying Access: A growing body of research suggests waiting until age 16, when adolescents are better equipped developmentally to handle the pressures of social media.
In
2025, efforts to restrict social media use for teens have intensified globally,
characterized by aggressive
state-level legislation in the U.S. and a landmark national ban in Australia.
Federal
Legislative Efforts (U.S.)
Legislators have introduced bipartisan bills aimed at standardizing protections for minors across all states.
Kids Off Social Media Act (2025): This bill proposes a ban on social media accounts for children under 13. It also seeks to prohibit platforms from using personalized recommendation algorithms for users under 17 to reduce addictive "doomscrolling".
Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA): Reintroduced in the 119th Congress, this act aims to impose a "duty of care" on platforms to prevent harms like cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and eating disorders.
State-Level
Restrictions (U.S.)
As of late 2025, roughly a dozen states have passed specific regulations, though many face legal delays.
Active Bans & Requirements: Florida's SB 3 went into effect on January 1, 2025, and a Mississippi law requiring age verification and parental consent for minors launched in April 2025.
Curfews & Notifications: New York’s SAFE for Kids Act (2025) prohibits platforms from sending notifications to users under 18 between midnight and 6:00 a.m. without parental consent.
Addictive Features: California and New York have pioneered laws prohibiting "addictive feeds" (algorithmic curation) for minors without explicit parental permission.
Legal Standing: Trade groups like NetChoice have successfully secured injunctions in states like Arkansas, Ohio, and Utah, arguing these laws violate First Amendment rights.
International
Landmark: Australia
Australia became the first nation to enforce a world-first national social media ban for children under 16, which officially took effect in December 2025.
Platforms Impacted: Major services like Instagram, TikTok, and X are required to implement age-assurance technology (e.g., selfie-based estimation or ID checks).
Compliance: Platforms face heavy fines for failing to take "reasonable steps" to prevent under-16s from maintaining accounts.
School and Parenting Trends
Phone-Free Schools: At least 19 U.S. states have now passed laws or policies restricting cellphone use during school hours to reduce distractions and social media-fueled behavioral issues.
Expert Recommendations: Mental health experts in 2025 increasingly advocate for "no social media before 16" and keeping devices out of bedrooms at night to protect adolescent sleep and development.
https://www.google.com/search?q=restricting+social+media+use+for+teens+2025
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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