LEGAL ALERT – New Ohio Law Designed to Help Protect Children Under Age 16 Requiring Parental Consent Before Kids Can Use Many Social Media Sites

Alert Key Legal Update

Social Media Parental Notification Act To Help Safeguard Children From The influence of Social Media Sites.

Social Media Parental Notification ActThe Ohio fiscal budget for 2023-24 that was signed into effect earlier this year by Governor Mike DeWine, has incorporated stricter laws to try and safeguard children from the influence of social media. The Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act will go into effect on January 15, 2024.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 95% of young people ages 13-17, actively use social media. Governor DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted saw the growing need to try and enact legislation to help parents keep their children from harmful effects that social media might have.

The Ohio Social Media Parental Notification Act requires parents of children under 16 years old to give consent for their child to use social media sites such as Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. The consent form must be submitted in written form and signed electronically. Owners of social media platforms are held responsible for developing procedures that will verify if the user of their site is under age 16. Parental consent would be verified through different options, such as signing a digital form online, using online payment … Read More... “LEGAL ALERT – New Ohio Law Designed to Help Protect Children Under Age 16 Requiring Parental Consent Before Kids Can Use Many Social Media Sites”