SB 343: Age Verification of Account Holders; providers of social media platforms from permitting a minor aged 14 years or younger to be an account holder; prohibit

Georgia law already requires social media platforms to get parental consent before letting a minor hold an account, and this section lists ways platforms can collect that consent, such as signed forms, phone calls, video chats, or verifying a parent's ID. This bill changes that framework for the youngest users. Instead of allowing consent-based access for all minors, the bill would flatly prohibit social media providers from letting anyone 14 years old or younger hold an account at all, no parental consent option. Minors older than 14 could still get accounts if a parent or guardian consents through one of the existing approved methods. The change would take effect July 1, 2025, and the bill repeals any conflicting Georgia laws.

• Bans social media platforms from allowing any account holder who is 14 years old or younger, removing the parental consent option for that age group.
• Keeps the existing rule that minors older than 14 may hold accounts only if a parent or guardian gives express consent.
• Preserves the six existing methods platforms can use to collect parental consent, including signed forms, phone calls, video calls, and ID verification.
• Sets the new rules to take effect July 1, 2025.
• Repeals any other Georgia laws that conflict with this change.

Social media platform providers operating in Georgia, minors aged 14 and younger who currently or would otherwise hold accounts, minors older than 14 who need parental consent, and parents or guardians who must verify and approve their older children's accounts.

Georgia families with children 14 and under would see those children barred from holding social media accounts entirely, regardless of parental permission. Platforms operating in Georgia would need to verify user ages and block or remove underage account holders to comply.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 39-6-2(c) to add a flat prohibition on social media providers permitting account holders aged 14 or younger.
• Section 1 retains the requirement that providers get express parental or guardian consent for minors older than 14 before allowing an account.
• Section 1 keeps intact the six listed acceptable methods for obtaining parental consent, unchanged from current law.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as July 1, 2025.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting state laws.

1. 2025-03-20Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
2. 2025-03-19Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)Patrocinador principal
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)

• social media regulation
• minors online safety
• parental consent
• age verification