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To let your opinion on this bill be heard, send feedback to your Federal Representative. The link to your representative can be found in this website under the "Find Your Representative" tab.


The House of Representative leadership is determined by the individual assemblymembers in each party.  Is your Representative voting for leadership that prioritizes bringing legislation to the floor to help keep kids safe while online?  




Status:  This bill was last debated in September of 2024 by the House Committee of Energy and Commerce.  For the bill to be considered by the current members of the committee, it will have to be reintroduced.



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If you would like to contact Senator Cruz, click on the link below:

www.cruz.senate.gov/contact/write-ted



Status:   In May of 2025, this bill was referred to the Senate committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The Chair of that committee is Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).  Senator Cruz can decide to put the bill on the committee's docket for debate and a vote, or Sen. Cruz can choose to ignore the bill.


If you would like to contact Senator Cruz, click on the link below:

www.cruz.senate.gov/contact/write-ted




If you would like to contact Senator Cruz, click on the link below:

www.cruz.senate.gov/contact/write-ted

Status:  In June of 2025, this bill was referred to the Senate committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The Chair of that committee is Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).  The committee has finalized amendments. It is now up to the leadership in the Senate to bring the bill to the floor for a vote



If you would like to contact Senator Grassley, click on the link below:

www.grassley.senate.gov/contact/questions-and-comments

Status:  The bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee of the Judiciary.  The Chairman of the Committee is Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Sen Grassley can choose to put the bill on the committee's docket for debate and a vote, or Senator Grassley can choose to ignore the bill. 



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School Cellphone Bans 2025-2026
State Education Departments

Appeared 10-25 to 11-25


In October of 2025, Governor Newsom signed California AB 1043 into law


  • requires a birthday be inputted when setting up a device


  • breaks down the age groups into 4 categories - under 13, at least 13 and under 16, at lease 16 and under 18, and at least 18 years old


  • requires device makers to provide age information to apps


  • does not require any sharing of sensitive documents such as driver's license, social security number, etc.




Status: Currently slated to go into effect January 1, 2027, giving the tech companies time to set up systems to comply with the law



For exact text of bill, history, and status click here:

Bill Text - AB-1043 Age verification signals: software applications and online services.


The bill was introduced by California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.

Please visit her website for a description of this bill:

Asm. Wicks' Bill to Protect Kids Online Passes Assembly with Bipartisan Support | Official Website - Assemblymember Buffy Wicks Representing the 14th California Assembly District






 

For a summary of Hawley's bill, text of the bill, actions on the bill, and other details of the bill, click here:

www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3062/text/is?overview=closed&format=xml



The GUARD Act


In October 2025, Senator Hawley introduced S.3062 - "Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue" Act, or the GUARD Act


  • Bill prohibits a person or entity from giving a minor access to any AI companion
  • Outlines details around age verification, specifies that asking a user if they are a minor or asking a user to enter a birthday is not sufficient proof of age
  • 13 Senators have endorsed the bill
  • Has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary


COPPA 2.0

 


 In June 2025, Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced S.836 "Children's and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act" (COPPA 2.0)


For a summary of Markey's 2025 bill, text of the bill, actions on the bill, and other details of the bill, click here:

S.836 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress



KOSA



In May 2025, Marsha Blackburn (R- Tenn) re-introduced S.1748 -"Kids Online Safety Act" (KOSA)







For a summary of Blackburn's bill, text of the bill, actions on the bill, co-sponsors, and other details, click here:


 S.1748 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Kids Online Safety Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress   









Click here to review how a Federal bill becomes the law of the land:  www.congress.gov/legislative-process    


The GUARD Act


In October 2025, Senator Hawley introduced S.3062 - "Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue" Act, or the GUARD Act



The Tools for Parents is an organization dedicated to helping parents and guardians keep their children safe while they are online.


By bringing together elected officials, school administrators, and the public, we will identify tools that are working. We will also discuss the development of new tools that will help keep social media safe for kids. 


This website covers news including court cases at the state and federal level. In addition, you'll find information on what laws have been passed, what elected officials are currently working on, and how those laws and proposals will affect online safety.


Information is provided on a variety of topics including how to find your elected officials, hazards that are currently found in social media, and organizations that are working to help ward off these hazards. 


Many hazards would be addressed if we had a mechanism imbedded in cell phones so that parents could designate that cell phone as a minor device when he/she is setting up the internet connection.  More information on this proposal can be found under the "Minor Device" tab in this website.







When tech companies have the safety of minors as part of their core mission, and not an afterthought, social media will be safe for children.