Since our last update on social media regulation for minors, the conversation around protecting young users online has intensified, with states across the U.S. advancing bold legislative measures in 2025. From Nevada’s push to restrict addictive features like infinite scrolling to Vermont’s robust data privacy protections, lawmakers are addressing the growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health and safety. This blog post dives into the latest state-level developments, highlighting key bills in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Nebraska that aim to create safer digital environments for minors through enhanced parental oversight, stricter data practices, and curbs on harmful platform features.

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Nevada: Disabled Features, Notification Restriction Times, and Consent Requirements

Nevada Senate Bill 63 would strengthen online safety for minors by requiring social media platforms to verify users’ ages, prohibit account creation for children under 13, and obtain parental consent for those aged 13 to 17. The bill would require platforms to turn off features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and interactive metrics (e.g., likes and shares) on minors’ accounts upon parental request. The bill would also restrict notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. and during school hours unless parents opt-in. Additionally, the bill would bar platforms from using minors’ data in algorithmic recommendation systems. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services would develop guidelines for parental consent and age verification, and the Nevada Attorney General would enforce compliance with these guidelines.

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Pennsylvania: Punitive Damages for Intentional Harm

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 22 aims to establish protections for minors on social media platforms. The bill proposes restrictions on social media companies to prevent them from intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or negligently causing or encouraging minors to access content that could be detrimental to their physical or mental health or that poses a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury or death. Violations could result in punitive damages. Additionally, the bill would require parental or guardian consent for minors to create social media accounts. The legislation awaited consideration by the Communications and Technology Committee.

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Vermont: Greater Data Protection Requirements and Disabled Features that Drive Compulsive Use

Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed Vermont Senate Bill 69, the Vermont Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, on June 12, 2025. The law requires businesses offering online services accessible to minors to conduct data protection and impact assessments, set default privacy settings to the highest level, and limit the collection and use of personal data to what is strictly necessary. The law also prohibits features that promote compulsive use, such as autoplay and late-night push notifications. The Vermont Attorney General is authorized to enforce the law and establish related rules.

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Nebraska: Parental Consent Requirements and Additional Monitoring Tools for Parents

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed Legislative Bill 383, the Parental Rights in Social Media Act, on May 20, 2025. The Act mandates that social media companies obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing minors to create accounts and requires these platforms to provide parents with tools to monitor and manage their children’s online activities. The Nebraska Attorney General is authorized to enforce these provisions, with penalties of up to $2,500 per violation. The law will take effect on January 1, 2026.

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