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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

House Bill Would Bar Social Media Platforms from Researching Kids Under 13

Also known as: SPY Kids Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(2)
Child Tax Credit
Neutral
Gig Worker
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Student
Helps

Key Points

  • Social media-style platforms would be barred from doing product or marketing research on kids under 13 if they know the user is a kid.
  • For teens ages 13–16, platforms could only do this kind of research if they first get clear, verified permission from a parent or legal guardian.
  • The bill targets platforms that use engagement tricks like endless scrolling, auto-play, push alerts, and similar features, and that use personal info to target ads or recommendations.
  • The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general could sue to stop violations and seek money back for harmed residents.
  • States would be blocked from making their own different rules on this exact topic, so the federal rule would be the main standard nationwide.
Consumer ProtectionTechnologyData PrivacyCivil Rights

Milestones

3 milestones5 actions
Dec 11, 2025House

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Dec 11, 2025House

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Nov 21, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

Nov 21, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Nov 21, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill is enacted but before it takes effect (during the 90-day window)

Platforms begin changing research and testing programs involving minors

Companies that run product tests on youth users would need to stop those tests for known under-13 users and set up verified parent consent before running them on teens 13–16.

90 days after the date the bill is signed into law

The law takes effect 90 days after enactment

After this date, a covered platform can be penalized if it does market/product-focused research on known children under 13, or on teens 13–16 without verified parental consent.

In the months after the effective date

FTC enforcement and investigations ramp up

People may see more platform policy changes and possibly public enforcement actions if the FTC finds illegal research on minors.

After the effective date, as violations are investigated

States bring consumer protection lawsuits when they believe residents are harmed

Some cases could lead to refunds, restitution, or court orders forcing platforms to change practices, depending on what a court finds.

Related News

3 articles
TechPolicy.Press·3 months ago

US House Subcommittee Advances 18 Child Online Safety Bills

The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade advanced 18 bills, including H.R. 6273, the SPY Kids Act. The legislation targets 'engagement-driven' platforms that use features like infinite scroll and autoplay, barring them from conducting market research on children under 13.

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Politico·3 months ago

House committee to mark up package of kids safety bills on Thursday

The House Energy and Commerce committee is set to mark up a slate of 18 kids' online safety proposals, including the SPY Kids Act. The package aims to address youth mental health and privacy concerns while navigating debates over federal preemption of state regulations.

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IAPP·3 months ago

A view from DC: Policymakers battle over knowledge standards

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce released a package of 19 proposals, including the SPY Kids Act. The article notes the bill's focus on stopping the profiling of youth and kids, amid broader debates over 'actual knowledge' versus 'willful disregard' standards for tech companies.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

SPY Kids Act

Bill NumberHR 6273
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionForwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.