HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a major bill Tuesday mandating parental consent for social media use by minors when accessing personalized content, a move aimed at addressing growing concerns about youth online safety and digital well-being.
Key Provisions of the Social Media Bill
House Bill 6857 passed by a strong bipartisan vote of 121–26 on May 14, 2025. If enacted, it would:
- Require social media platforms to obtain explicit parental consent before exposing minors to algorithm-driven content.
- Limit minors without consent to one hour of algorithmic content per day and restrict notifications between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Require platforms to verify user age using “commercially reasonable” methods.
- Mandate annual reports on minor user statistics and content exposure.
The bill, spearheaded by Attorney General William Tong’s office, shifts content control back to parents, giving them new oversight tools over their children’s online engagement.
Support and Concerns
Attorney General Tong praised the House’s action, saying, “This bill is about giving parents the control necessary to make safe choices for their children.”
Supporters see it as a necessary check on the mental health toll linked to unchecked algorithmic feeds. However, some Republican lawmakers and tech industry groups like TechNet argue the bill is constitutionally shaky and logistically complex.
Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco (R-Wolcott) voiced concerns about government overreach, calling it “an infringement on rights.”
What’s Next
The bill now heads to the Connecticut Senate. If approved and signed by Governor Ned Lamont—who supports the initiative—it will take effect July 1, 2026.
