Privacy Law Library

Protecting Children from Social Media Act

Protecting Children from Social Media Act

Children

Requires social media companies to verify the age of anyone opening a new account and to get verified express parental consent before a minor under 18 can hold an account. Parents must get tools to view privacy settings, set daily time limits, and schedule breaks, and data used for verification may not be retained. NetChoice's challenge is pending: the district court denied a preliminary injunction in June 2025, and on August 28, 2026 the Sixth Circuit vacated that denial and remanded, so the law is in effect but under active challenge.

Where
Tennessee
Citation
Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 47-18-5701 to 47-18-5706 (2024 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 899, HB 1891)
Status
In force
In force since
2025-01-01
Enforced by
Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter, using Tennessee Consumer Protection Act investigation and enforcement powers (§§ 47-18-106, 47-18-108)
People can sue
No
Penalties
The Attorney General may investigate and sue as under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and recover the penalties and other relief that § 47-18-108 authorizes; waivers of the act's protections are void.
Applies to
  • Social media companies operating platforms used by Tennessee minors (under 18)
  • Accounts created on or after January 1, 2025

Rights it gives people

  • Parents may revoke consent for a minor to become or remain an account holder.Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-5703(b)

Practices it requires

  • Verify the age of an individual at the time the individual attempts to become an account holder.Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-5703(a)(1)
  • Do not let a minor become an account holder without verified express consent of the minor's parent.Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-5703(a)(2) · Only if: Applies when the prospective account holder is a minor
  • Give a minor account holder's parent supervision tools, including viewing privacy settings, setting daily time restrictions, and scheduling access breaks.Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-5704

Security duties

  • Neither the social media company nor a third party may retain personally identifying information used to verify age or parental consent.Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-5703(c)

Other duties

  • Contractual waivers or limits of the act's protections, or of the right to cooperate with law enforcement, are void.Tenn. Code Ann. § 47-18-5706

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Unverified: Post-remand proceedings: docket through Sept. 23, 2026 shows only scheduling orders and no injunction; any later ruling is not captured. | Dollar amount of penalties recoverable under § 47-18-108 was not confirmed from the official code.

Research reference, not legal advice.