- From this month, young people aged 16 or under need parental permission to access social media
- New law also brings in various safeguarding measures designed to keep young people safe
- Fines for violating the laws could be up to $2,500
Young people aged 16 and under living in Louisiana now require parental permission to access social media accounts, thanks to a new law that has just come into effect.
Since the start of the month, those aged 16 or under must have consent from a parent or guardian to hold an account for social media apps such as Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This is thanks to bill SB162, which was authored by state senator Patrick McMath and signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards.
The new law also compels social media companies to make ‘commercially reasonable efforts;’ to verify the age of account holders based in Louisiana and ensure that accounts have been created with consent.
Safeguarding measures
Several safeguarding measures have also been introduced by the new laws. These include a stipulation that adults cannot message minors unless they are already connected and the collection of personal data from minors will be limited.
In addition, parents have the right to monitor the online activity of their children and set access schedules.
If anyone falls foul of the new law, they could receive a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each violation – although that is up to the courts to decide.
Online response
However, there has been some cynicism from online commentators. One, who summed up the feelings of several posters, said: “Those signatures about to be faked like a permission card.”
Other posters on social media posters welcomed the legislation, some saying that the age limit should be raised to 18 and others wishing that it was enacted in their state too.
