Technology (Social Media) in Tennessee

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2398: Children - As introduced, requires certain commercial online platforms, websites, and applications to maintain a content moderation system that allows users to report material harmful to minors that is not properly marked or age-restricted; makes other changes related to platform content and minors. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 9 and Title 47, Chapter 18.

SB 2398 requires large social media platforms (with 10 million+ monthly U.S. users) to implement systems allowing users to report unmarked or improperly age-restricted content harmful to minors. Platforms must acknowledge reports within 48 hours, act within seven business days (e.g., remove content or apply age restrictions), and publish semi-annual transparency reports detailing their responses. Parents or legal guardians of minors can sue platforms for failing to address repeated reports of unmarked harmful content, seeking up to $5,000 per violation, while the state attorney general may also enforce compliance through fines. The bill directly affects major online platforms and aims to improve content safety for minors through mandatory reporting systems and accountability measures.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2310: Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires each LEA and public charter school serving students in any of the grades K–5 to adopt a policy governing the age-appropriate and instructional use of digital devices by students to minimize unnecessary screen time while preserving instructional effectiveness. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 2310 would prohibit Tennessee public schools and charter schools serving grades K-5 from allowing students to use digital devices at school, requiring teachers to use digital devices for instruction, or administering assessments electronically - except for specific cases. The bill directly affects K-5 students and educators in these schools, with key exceptions for public virtual schools, compliance with disability laws (IDEA, Section 504, ADA), and state-mandated assessments like the Tennessee universal screener. It would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed, banning digital device use during instruction and assessments for young students while maintaining existing requirements for disability accommodations and state testing. The bill does not address social media or require schools to remove devices from classrooms entirely, only restricting their use for instruction and assessments.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics School Choice Social Media

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2214: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a person or entity from distributing an electoral deepfake within 90 days of an election that the person or entity knows or should have known is a deceptive and fraudulent depiction of a candidate or political party; creates civil penalties and outlines exceptions. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

HB 2214 prohibits distributing AI-generated "electoral deepfakes" (fake videos or audio falsely depicting candidates) within 90 days of a state or local election if the creator knows or should know it deceives voters. It requires clear, prominent disclosures like "AI-generated" for altered content, with specific visibility rules for images, videos, and audio. Exceptions cover news broadcasts (if they acknowledge authenticity questions), satire, and publishers who explicitly state the content is not real. Violators face civil fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenses, $5,000 for intent to cause harm, or $1,000 for other violations. The law directly affects anyone distributing election-related content, including social media users, campaigns, and media outlets.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2270: Children - As enacted, establishes the children's digital protection fund within the state treasury. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 2.

HB 2270 directs Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration to study and report on state funding sources derived from lawsuits or investigations that support children's online mental health and safety. Specifically, it requires a report by January 15, 2027, detailing how funds - such as civil penalties from cases under the Protecting Children from Social Media Act - are used to protect children online. The bill does not create new laws or change funding allocations but mandates this review to inform future decisions. It is a procedural measure focused solely on gathering information, not implementing policy changes.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Social Media

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2522: Children - As introduced, requires certain commercial online platforms, websites, and applications to maintain a content moderation system that allows users to report material harmful to minors that is not properly marked or age-restricted; makes other changes related to platform content and minors. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 9 and Title 47, Chapter 18.

HB 2522 requires large commercial online platforms (with 10 million+ monthly U.S. active users) to implement systems letting users report unmarked or improperly age-restricted content harmful to minors. Platforms must acknowledge reports within 48 hours, review them within 7 business days, and take action like removal or age restriction. They must also publish semi-annual transparency reports detailing report volumes and resolutions, and face private lawsuits by parents if they fail to act on repeated reports - potentially resulting in $5,000 per violation. The bill targets platforms that permit harmful content without effective age verification, directly affecting major social media and app companies. The bill is currently in committee review (Commerce Committee) after initial filing.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2321: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, prohibits a person or entity from distributing an electoral deepfake within 90 days of an election that the person or entity knows or should have known is a deceptive and fraudulent depiction of a candidate or political party; creates civil penalties and outlines exceptions. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 39, Chapter 17.

SB 2321 prohibits distributing manipulated election-related media (like AI-generated videos or audio) within 90 days of a state or local election if it falsely depicts a candidate or political party. It requires clear disclosures (e.g., "This media was AI-generated") for such content, with specific size/duration rules for visual media and audio. Violators face civil penalties up to $10,000, but the law excludes news broadcasts (with proper disclosure), satire, and publications that explicitly state the content is not authentic. The bill directly affects candidates, political committees, social media platforms, and media distributors during election periods. Exceptions ensure news coverage and parody remain protected.

Topics ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2057: Internet and e-Commerce - As introduced, requires that if an account holder deletes the account holder's account on a social media platform, the social media platform shall delete all personal information pertaining to the deleted account or collected directly through the use of the social media platform through the deleted account by the account holder or another user. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 47, Chapter 18.

HB 2057 requires Tennessee social media platforms to delete all personal information linked to a user's account when that account is deleted. This applies to data collected directly through the account by the account holder or other users, but excludes de-identified data and publicly available information. The law preserves existing data deletion rules under Tennessee's Information Protection Act (TIPA) for users who don't delete accounts, and allows lawsuits for violations with potential damages, attorney fees, and injunctions. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, impacting both social media companies operating in Tennessee and their users who delete accounts.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

passed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 1799: Internet and e-Commerce - As introduced, requires that if an account holder deletes the account holder's account on a social media platform, the social media platform shall delete all personal information pertaining to the deleted account or collected directly through the use of the social media platform through the deleted account by the account holder or another user. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 47, Chapter 18.

Tennessee's SB 1799 requires social media platforms (like Facebook or Instagram) to delete all personal information linked to an account when the account holder deletes their account. This applies to data collected directly through the platform by the account holder or other users, excluding publicly available information or de-identified data. The law creates a private right to sue platforms that fail to comply, allowing for damages, penalties, and attorney fees. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and excludes email services, cloud storage, payment platforms, and other non-social media services from its scope.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Social Media

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 535: Children - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation Act." - Amends TCA Title 24; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 47.

This bill prohibits tech companies (like email or social media platforms) from notifying users when law enforcement searches their data for child sexual exploitation cases. It specifically bans service providers from alerting account holders or unauthorized individuals about search warrants or subpoenas related to these investigations. The law aims to prevent suspects from destroying evidence by alerting them to ongoing police activity. It applies directly to electronic communications services covered under Tennessee law and took effect on May 5, 2025.

Topics ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Social Media

passed · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2025

HJR 179: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Recognizes mental health consequences of social media on K-12 students. -

HJR 179 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee House of Representatives that recognizes the mental health impacts of social media on K-12 students. It does not create new laws but expresses legislative support for addressing these issues through potential policy actions, such as age restrictions on social media platforms, digital well-being education in schools, and promoting free play opportunities for children. The resolution cites research linking excessive screen time to rising anxiety and depression among youth, while emphasizing the need for community and parental initiatives to foster healthier development.

Topics ✓ Education ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Social Media

All technology bills