Included in the upcoming state operating budget by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is the Social Media Parental Notification Act, a new act championed by Lt. Governor Jon Husted.
The new initiative will require certain online companies to obtain verifiable parental consent to contractual terms of service before permitting children under the age of 16 to use their platforms. It also includes a requirement for companies to provide parents with their privacy guidelines to show them what will be censored or moderated with regards to their child’s profile. “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,” said Lt. Governor Husted.
“This new law gives parents a greater say in if, how and when their children use these platforms.”
Media platforms to be affected include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat, but e-commerce apps like Etsy, eBay and Amazon will not be impacted.
Companies will have until January 15, 2024 to comply with the guidelines.
