Policy Watch for Parents: What the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act Could Mean—Prepare Now

What the bill proposes in plain language (under-13 bans, verification)

The Protecting Kids on Social Media Act (PKSMA) would bar kids under 13 from having social media accounts, full stop. For ages 13–17, platforms would need verifiable parental consent before an account can be created or kept. The bill also requires platforms to verify every user’s age and would restrict algorithmic recommendations for minors.

If passed, this would standardize age gates across the biggest platforms rather than leaving rules to each company or state. Practically, that means more robust checks at sign-up (not just a birthdate field) and clearer lines on who can access what. This proposal focuses heavily on universal age verification and parental oversight for teens.

What the bill proposes in plain language (under-13 bans, verification)

What would change for families day-to-day

Expect more friction when opening or keeping teen accounts—think uploading a privacy-preserving proof of age or having a parent complete a consent step. Teens may see fewer personalized “For You” feeds, especially if a platform can’t confirm parental consent. Notifications late at night could also be limited for younger users depending on how companies implement policy.

Parents might receive emails or dashboard prompts to review a teen’s settings periodically. Kids under 13 will likely be shifted to kid-mode experiences or locked out entirely if a platform doesn’t offer one. Families will want a clear plan for school clubs, messaging, or group chats that currently live on social apps.

Prepare now: proof-of-age, account audits, “least data necessary” mindset

Decide how your family will prove age before any law takes effect: government ID (adult only), third-party verification, or privacy-preserving methods like parent-attested checks. Create a single, secure place to store verification receipts or confirmation emails in case platforms re-ask. If you’re uncomfortable sharing IDs, research no-ID options such as parent-generated consent codes.

Do an “account audit” with your child: list active apps, confirm the birthdate on file, and remove dormant accounts that leak data. Turn off unnecessary data collection (ad personalization, precise location) and lock down who can DM or tag your child. Adopt a “least data necessary” rule: if a feature works without granting contact sync, location, or camera access, keep those off by default.

Platform patterns to expect (stricter sign-ups, fewer DMs)

Sign-ups will likely demand stronger age checks and explicit parental consent flows, potentially including short image checks or parent contact verification. Where consent isn’t verified, minors may get chronological feeds with limited recommendations, fewer push alerts at night, and reduced DM reachability. These changes align with the growing trend of stricter online safety defaults for teens.

You may also see clearer teen-safe defaults: private profiles, friend-only messaging, and limited discoverability in search. Companies may expand family dashboards so parents can see settings without reading messages. Expect more prompts asking a teen to “get a parent to approve” before new features turn on.

Family readiness checklist

First, set your family policy: which apps are allowed, what proof-of-age method you’ll use, and who is the “consenting adult.” Second, complete an account audit and apply teen-safe defaults (private profile, DM limits, no precise location). Third, document consent emails and verification receipts in a secure folder, and enable two-factor authentication on parent and teen accounts.

Fourth, practice “consent renewal”: schedule quarterly check-ins to revisit settings as needs change. Fifth, create an alternative plan for group chats or school updates (e.g., email lists or messenger tools that fit your policy). Finally, coach your teen to spot risky outreach: no replies to unknown DMs, no clicking shortened links, and always tell an adult if a message feels off.