The Massachusetts House of Representatives is scheduled to vote this Wednesday on a bill aimed at tightening regulations on youth internet usage and school management. The proposal goes beyond a simple ban on cell phones during the school day, setting strict age thresholds for social media platform access.
Under the proposed legislation, children under 14 would be prohibited from using social media, while adolescents aged 14 and 15 would require explicit parental consent to use such platforms. Only minors aged 16 and older would be permitted to access social media without parental approval.
Addressing Algorithms and Mental Health Risks
In a joint statement released Monday, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz and House Speaker Ron Mariano stated that the ban would rank among the strictest in the nation. They argued that the measure is intended to protect young people from harmful content and "addictive algorithms," which have been shown to negatively impact adolescent mental health.
The bill explicitly requires social media companies to implement age-verification systems to ensure users meet the age requirements. Furthermore, it grants parents the right to access data submitted by their minor children on these platforms. The legislation mandates that the state Attorney General develop implementation guidelines by September 1, 2026, with the law taking effect on October 1 of that same year.
Regarding campus cell phone management, the bill requires school districts to establish policies prohibiting students from using personal electronic devices during the school day and while participating in school activities. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be responsible for providing guidance and model policies to districts. Additionally, the bill proposes a pilot program to test technologies that block electronic device signals within 10 selected school districts.
Previously, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill (S 2581) last July by a 38-2 vote that would ban student cell phone use throughout the school day, though that version did not include social media restrictions. The social media regulatory clauses introduced by the House were not present in the earlier Senate version.
Governor Maura Healey signaled her support for similar legislation in her State of the Commonwealth address this past January, specifically highlighting the risks posed by algorithms targeting youth. Senate President Karen Spilka noted at the time that the Governor’s proposal was highly consistent with the Senate’s existing efforts on cell phone bans and data privacy.
If the bill passes the House on Wednesday, a six-member conference committee is expected to be formed to reconcile the differences and draft a final consensus bill, which would then be submitted to both chambers for a final vote.