Passage of HB 227 Protecting Kids from Social Media Harms Applauded by The Family Foundation

The Family Foundation Applauds House Passage of HB 227 To Protect Kentucky Children from Social Media Harms

FRANKFORT, KY – The Family Foundation applauds Representative Matt Lockett, the bill’s sponsor, and the Kentucky House for passing House Bill 227, legislation aimed at protecting kids from the addictive harms of social media. HB 227 passed 96-0 and now heads to the Kentucky Senate for consideration. The Senate should follow suit and enact these much-needed protections for children on social media.

HB 227 would require social media companies to use their existing algorithms to estimate the ages of their users. When a social media company knows a minor under 16 is on the platform, the company would have to receive parental consent for the minor to keep access to his account. Additionally, the bill would ban addictive features on the accounts of minors, helping to limit the harmful effects of social media. The bill does all this while protecting the First Amendment rights of adult social media users—a win-win for Kentuckians.

Statement from David Walls, Executive Director of The Family Foundation:

“The passage of HB 227 is a significant win for protecting Kentucky kids and empowering parents. Kentucky families are facing the harrowing task of protecting their children from a wide range of online harms—including the social media industry’s business model of addiction by design. For too long social media companies have profited from addicting minors to their platforms without any meaningful parental safeguards. HB 227 holds social media companies accountable for protecting kids while upholding the First Amendment rights of adults.

“We are thankful for the leadership of Rep. Matt Lockett and the Kentucky House for taking action to ensure this important legislation moves forward in the legislative process. Kentucky’s children are the most valuable asset to the Commonwealth, and we have a duty to uphold parental rights and protect kids from the growing harms of social media addiction. We call on the Senate to quickly advance and pass HB 227,” Walls said.