INDIANAPOLIS--- If State Sen. Mike Bohacek’s (R-Michiana Shores) bill passes next session, social media platforms would need to block kids under 16 from accessing their content if they don’t receive their parents’ permission to use their sites.
”All we’re trying to do is protect kids,” Bohacek said. “We have a responsibility as a state to be able to make sure that our kids are safe.”
According to Bohacek, parents who want to give their kids permission would need to upload their credit card information to these sites, and virtually consent each year until their child turns 16 years old. The bill states that parents would be allowed to revoke their permission at any time.
”I just want parents to have to have the ability to moderate what their kids are getting into,” Bohacek said.
”As a parent, I fully understand the impact of social media,” State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) said. ”I’m all for reasonable regulations over social media as it relates to young people.”
If passed, the bill would allow parents to file a civil suit against social media sites that do not comply. Parents of kids who are bullied online could also file a civil suit against the bully’s parents (or the actual bully if they’re at least18 years old).
”We’ve got kids that are 12, 13 years old that are committing suicide after being bullied so much online,” Bohacek said. “I mean, imagine how hopeless you would feel.”
Bohacek went on to say this part of the bill could be amended out.
”I think it’s a little too specific, and I think a lot of folks might think that might be maybe a bridge too far,” Bohacek said. ”This is not going to be something we’re going to solve in one bill and one vote, but it’s very important to me that everybody gets together on this.”
”We have seen other states that basically entertained the idea of some kind of regulation and guidelines on social media for teenagers younger than 16 years old, so I look forward to see how that bill will move forward,” Qaddoura said.
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