New Ohio law will require parental approval for kids under 16 to use social media

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A new law in Ohio will soon require parental approval for any kids under the age of 16 before they use certain social media platforms.

“There’s growing evidence that social media is harming the mental health, physical health and the academic progress of our young people,” said Ohio Lieutenant Governor, Jon Husted.

Husted said those are some of the main forces behind The Social Media Parental Notification Act, which requires kids under the age of 16 get approval for a parent or guardian before using apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

“At the moment that the parent signs them up, they can put filters on their social media platforms that their children are going to see that would limit, for example, how many hours a day they can be on it,” said Husted.

Parents will also be able to control the content on the apps and set usage restrictions.

Parental consent could be verified by signing a digital form, using a credit or debit card, or using a government issued I.D.

“All of those kinds of things are going to empower parents to have more of a say in what’s happening in the digital lives of their children,” said Husted.

On the enforcement side, Husted said if companies don't create the verification method, they could be subject to fines or even a ban.

"Anytime you do something for the first time, you have concerns about it, the right way, and that's why we worked with the tech companies and said, 'Look, we're trying to make sure you can comply with this,'” said Husted.

"The Parental Notification Act is a great first pass that likely is going to have amendments, as things begin to work their way out,” said Stephen Smith, Managing Partner of A Wired Family.

A Wired Family is a group that speaks to people across the Tri-State about the effects of social media.

Smith said the law is a good way to begin dialogue about the potential negative impacts of social media use.

"I think the act itself, at the very least, will help to start a conversation between mom and dad or grandma and grandpa and the child, and I think too often that conversation doesn't begin,” said Smith.

“We want to engage families in helping to talk about this issue and put guardrails around it, nobody wants to ban social media,” said Husted.

The law does not apply to various online shopping outlets.

Husted said he hopes this type of law in Ohio and in states like South Carolina and Utah will lead to a national law eventually passed by Congress.

The act made its way into the state's operating budget signed by Governor Mike DeWine last week. It goes into effect January 15, 2024.