Bill

Bill > SB165


GA SB165

Minors; social media and internet safety; account termination upon the request of minors or their parents or guardians; provide


summary

Introduced
02/12/2025
In Committee
02/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Title 39 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to minors, so as to provide for social media and internet safety for minors; to increase the amount of the fine for which commercial entities may be liable; to require providers of social media platforms to verify the age of account holders; to require providers of social media platforms to refuse account services to minors who are 14 or 15 years of age without parental consent; to require providers of social media platforms to refuse account services to minors who are younger than 14 years of age; to provide for account termination upon the request of minors or their parents or guardians; to provide for the deletion of personal information, subject to exceptions; to increase the amount of the fine for which providers of a social media platform may be liable; to create a civil remedy for minors to recover damages against providers of a social media platform; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill introduces comprehensive regulations for social media platforms' interactions with minors in Georgia, focusing on age verification and account management. The legislation requires social media providers to verify users' ages and imposes strict rules for minors: those 14 and 15 years old can only have accounts with parental consent, while those under 14 are prohibited from having accounts entirely. Social media platforms must terminate accounts for minors 14 and 15 years old unless parental consent is obtained, and they must also provide ways for minors or their parents to request account termination within specified timeframes. The bill increases potential fines for violations from $10,000 to $50,000 per incident and introduces a new civil remedy allowing minors to sue platforms for knowingly violating these provisions, with potential damages up to $10,000. Additionally, platforms must permanently delete personal information when accounts are terminated, with exceptions for legal requirements. The Attorney General is granted exclusive enforcement authority, with a 90-day notice period for potential violators to cure identified issues. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to enhance online safety and protect minors from potential risks associated with social media platforms by providing more stringent age-related protections and account management guidelines.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Senate Read and Referred (on 02/13/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...