Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB2657

Introduced

4/3/25

Refer

4/3/25

Caption

Sammy’s Law

Impact

The legislation emphasizes child safety in the digital space by facilitating enhanced parental oversight through the use of technological solutions. It places the responsibility on major social media platforms to cooperate with third-party software providers to ensure that necessary safeguards are in place. This could lead to comprehensive policy changes within platforms regarding user data handling and privacy standards, greatly affecting the operational frameworks of these companies.

Summary

House Bill 2657, known as 'Sammy's Law', mandates that large social media platforms provide third-party safety software providers with real-time application programming interfaces (APIs). These APIs allow parents or guardians to delegate authority to third-party providers to manage online interactions and content settings for their children. It aims to empower guardians to protect children from various online threats including cyberbullying, trafficking, and sexual harassment through robust monitoring and control.

Contention

The bill may provoke debates over privacy rights and the extent of parental control versus children's autonomy. Critics might argue that while enhancing child safety is crucial, excessive monitoring could impede children's freedom and exploration of online spaces. Additionally, concerns over data security and the role of third-party companies in managing sensitive information could arise, prompting discussions about the adequacy of Infrastructures supporting such measures.

Latest HB2657 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB4338

Relating to the use of safety management software for children on large social media platforms.

US H3567

Safety software

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US SB278

Kids Off Social Media ActThis bill limits children’s access to social media platforms and requires both platforms and schools to implement certain restrictions on children’s social media usage. Specifically, the bill prohibits social media platforms from knowingly allowing children under the age of 13 to create or maintain accounts. Platforms must delete existing accounts held by children and any personal data collected from child users. Platforms are also generally prohibited from using automated systems to suggest or promote content based on personal data collected from users under the age of 17. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these provisions. States may also bring civil actions against platforms whose violations of these provisions have adversely affected their residents. Further, as a condition of receiving discounted telecommunications service under the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-Rate) program, schools must enforce policies preventing the use of E-Rate-supported services, networks, and devices to access social media, and must use blocking or filtering technology to prevent such access. Schools that do not make a good faith effort to comply and correct known violations are required to reimburse any E-Rate support they received for the applicable period. Schools must also submit copies of their internet safety policies to the Federal Communications Commission for publication. Under the bill, social media platforms are defined as public-facing sites that function primarily as forums for user-generated content. Some categories of online platforms are explicitly excluded, including sites that provide primarily videoconferencing, emailing, or educational services.