Bill would prevent certain teens from signing up for social media accounts
“I think parents being involved in it, especially when kids are so young getting social media and how that can influence them. I think it’s a good idea.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Teens may no longer be able to make their own social media accounts in the State of Tennessee. It’s a bill going through the legislature that already has bipartisan support.
Under HB1891/SB2097 anyone 18 years or older can make a social media account without an adult. If they are under 18, they must have parental consent, which social media user Jenna Bierly agreed with.
“I think it’s valid,” she said. “I think parents being involved in it, especially when kids are so young getting social media and how that can influence them. I think it’s a good idea.”
The bill pushed by Gov. Bill Lee would allow parents to supervise their child’s account with certain controls. There’s no specification for how the age verifications would look, that’s up to each social media company. However, lawmakers who are also parents have voiced their concerns.
“My 15-year-old, who I do not want to have a TikTok account, has a TikTok account because my 16-year-old verified that she was her parent,” said Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) in the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee meeting in February.
Gov. Lee’s team said issues like this would fall back on the social media company.
“They would still be in violation of the law even if they had verified and got consent,” said Hannah Richardson, with Governor Lee’s legislative team. “Because at the end of the day she is still a minor and she is not the parent that gave consent.”
Thursday the bill was rolled in the Senate to next week. It already passed the House with bipartisan support, but Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) was one of two lawmakers to put it down.
“Unfortunately, it’s a really bad bill,” she said. “It would disproportionally impact at-risk youth by mandating parental consent. And it’s problematic for our LGBTQIA youth who use a lot of online platforms to find connection and representation.”
She said it’s a big government surveillance bill. But some Tennesseans said it’s a step in the right direction.
“Just knowing that they are on that and can be aware of what’s going on in their lives a little bit more,” said Bierly.
If the bill is signed by Gov. Lee it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Lawmakers pointed out other states have similar laws but have been sued by companies who said it’s a burden for them. Tennessee lawmakers said this legislation would work with the companies.
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