This bill prohibits social media platforms from offering disappearing messages (like Snapchat's ephemeral chats) to users under 17. It requires platforms to provide parents with easily accessible tools to approve or block private messaging for minors, with direct messaging disabled by default for users under 13. App stores must also display clear warnings to parents when minors attempt to download apps with private messaging features. These requirements apply to all social media platforms defined under the bill, with enforcement handled by the Federal Trade Commission.
The STOP CSAM Act of 2025 would strengthen protections for child victims and witnesses in federal court by creating a new definition of "covered person" to include minors under 18 who are victims or witnesses of abuse, exploitation, or kidnapping. The bill requires internet service providers to report apparent child sexual exploitation to the CyberTipline within 60 days, with civil penalties of $50,000-$250,000 per violation and criminal fines up to $1 million for non-compliance. It also creates new civil remedies allowing victims to sue platforms that host or promote child sexual exploitation, with minimum $300,000 in damages. Additionally, large platforms would be required to submit annual reports to the Attorney General and FTC detailing their safety measures and child exploitation on their platforms.
The Safer GAMING Act requires online video game providers to give parents default-enabled tools to limit communication between their minor children (under 18) and other players (including adults) within interactive online games. Providers must make these privacy and safety controls easy to use, automatically active on minors' accounts, and only adjustable by parents. The Federal Trade Commission enforces these requirements as deceptive practices, and states can also take action to stop violations. This directly affects parents of minors who play online games with chat or voice features, aiming to reduce exposure to inappropriate interactions.
HR 1623 (the SCREEN Act) requires online platforms that profit from hosting pornographic content to implement age verification technology, preventing minors from accessing such material. Covered platforms must publicly disclose their verification process and securely handle age data collected through these systems. The law applies specifically to platforms where pornographic content is a regular business activity, not all websites. It mandates that only adults can access pornographic content on these platforms, without banning the content itself.
The KIDS Act (HR 7757) requires online platforms to implement age verification measures and safety features to protect minors from harmful content and interactions. It mandates platforms to provide parental control tools, limit design features that encourage compulsive use, and prevent access to illegal products like drugs or alcohol. The bill also requires platforms to establish reporting mechanisms for harms to minors and disclose when chatbots are artificial intelligence systems. The law applies to social media platforms, video games, and chatbot providers that meet the definition of a "covered platform" under the bill.
The App Store Accountability Act requires major app stores (those with over 5 million U.S. users) to verify the age of new users and obtain parental consent for minors before they can download apps or make in-app purchases. App stores must clearly display age ratings, protect age verification data, and notify parents of significant changes to apps used by minors. App developers must verify user age through the app store's system, cannot enforce contracts against minors without parental consent, and must display age ratings in plain language. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these requirements, with states also having authority to take action in certain cases.
This bill establishes two grant programs to address technological abuse against victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It authorizes a 5-year pilot program (with up to 15 grants of $2 million each) for partnerships between tech-focused schools, tech companies, and domestic violence centers to provide victims with new devices and combat tech abuse. A separate $20 million grant program funds nonprofits and schools to develop training materials for service providers on preventing and responding to technological abuse. The bill directly affects victims experiencing tech-based stalking or monitoring and the organizations that support them, focusing on practical resources and education rather than new legal requirements.
The STOP CSAM Act of 2025 strengthens protections for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by expanding definitions of abuse to include psychological abuse and kidnapping, and by imposing new reporting requirements on internet service providers. The bill requires providers with over 1 million monthly users to report apparent child sexual abuse material to the CyberTipline within 60 days, with penalties for noncompliance including fines up to $1 million for large providers. It creates new civil remedies allowing victims to sue providers who host or promote child pornography, and establishes protections for "covered persons" (children under 18 who are victims or witnesses) by limiting public disclosure of their personal information. The bill also enhances law enforcement's ability to investigate online child exploitation while maintaining privacy safeguards for victims.
The RESET Act prohibits social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create or maintain accounts. Platforms must identify existing minor accounts within 60 days of enactment, notify users within 180 days, and terminate accounts within 30 days of notification. Upon termination, platforms must delete all personal data collected from minors and provide a readable, portable copy of that data for 90 days after termination. Enforcement is handled by the Federal Trade Commission and allows states to pursue legal action for violations.
S 2714 (CHAT Act) requires companies operating AI chatbots designed to simulate friendship or emotional interaction (like companion AI chatbots) to verify user ages and implement protections for minors. It mandates age verification for all users, parental account linkage and consent for minors, blocking access to sexually explicit content for minors, and monitoring for suicidal ideation with resource links. Companies must also display clear notifications every 60 minutes stating users are interacting with AI, not humans. The bill directly affects minors under 18 and the companies providing these chatbot services, with enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.
