COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has proposed new legislation that would require certain online companies to receive verifiable parental consent before allowing children under 16 to use their platforms. This proposal is part of the Governor’s 2023-24 executive budget, which was submitted to the Ohio General Assembly last week.
Under the Social Media Parental Notification Act, companies must determine the user’s age, receive consent from a parent or legal guardian, and send written confirmation of the consent. Verification can be done through a digital form, online payment, toll-free telephone number, video conference with trained personnel, or government-issued identification.
This legislation applies to social media and online gaming/activity companies such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and others. E-commerce sites like online shopping platforms are excluded.
If a parent or legal guardian fails to provide consent, the company must deny the child access. If the act is passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed into law by Governor DeWine, companies will have 90 days to comply.
