Reducing Exploitative Social Media Exposure for Teens Act; RESET Act
Summary
The "Reducing Exploitative Social Media Exposure for Teens Act," or "RESET Act," aims to prohibit covered social media platforms from allowing minors (under 16) to create or maintain accounts. The bill mandates platforms to identify and terminate existing accounts of minors within specified timeframes.
It also requires the deletion of personal data collected from these users, with a provision for minors to request a copy of their data within a limited period. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is empowered to enforce the Act, and state attorneys general can bring civil actions for violations.
The Act includes a preemption clause that prevents states from enacting conflicting laws and defines key terms such as "covered platform," "know," "minor," and "personal data."
Expected Effects
If enacted, the RESET Act would significantly alter the online experience for individuals under 16, potentially reducing their exposure to social media platforms.
Social media companies would face increased compliance burdens and potential FTC enforcement actions. State laws related to this matter would be preempted.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces the risk of online exploitation and harmful content exposure for minors.
- Empowers parents to have more control over their children's online presence.
- Provides minors with the ability to request and obtain their personal data from platforms before deletion.
- Enforcement by the FTC and state attorneys general ensures accountability.
- Could lead to healthier social development for teenagers by limiting social media use.
Potential Disadvantages
- May infringe on the freedom of expression and access to information for minors.
- Could be difficult to enforce due to challenges in verifying users' ages.
- May lead to minors using VPNs or other methods to circumvent the restrictions.
- Could disproportionately affect minors from low-income backgrounds who rely on social media for communication and resources.
- Potential for platforms to over-collect data to verify age, raising privacy concerns.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's constitutionality is debatable. While it aims to protect children, it may infringe upon First Amendment rights regarding freedom of speech and access to information. The government's power to regulate activities that may be harmful to children has been recognized, but such regulations must be narrowly tailored.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but the Act includes a preemption clause, potentially limiting state authority in this area. This could be seen as an overreach of federal power if not appropriately justified under the Commerce Clause or other enumerated powers.
Additionally, the enforcement mechanisms granted to the FTC align with the Commerce Clause, as social media platforms operate across state lines.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).