California Bill Aims to Protect Minors from Parent Bloggers

Proposed legislation would require parent content creators to delete or edit posts featuring their children within 10 days of notification.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:41pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The California Senate is considering a bill that would require social media platforms to provide a process for adults to request the removal of content featuring them as minors, if that content was created by a family member who received compensation for sharing it online. The bill would mandate that parents or relatives delete or edit the content within 10 business days of receiving notification, with civil penalties of $3,000 per day for non-compliance.

Why it matters

The bill is aimed at protecting the dignity and mental health of individuals who had their childhoods shared on social media by family members seeking to profit from their content. It comes amid growing concerns over the exploitation of minors on social media and the blurring of boundaries between personal and public life.

The details

Senate Bill 1247, introduced by Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego), would require social media platforms to offer a process for adults to request the removal of content that features themselves as minors and was created by a family member who received compensation for sharing material online. The legislation would require the parent or other relative to delete or edit the content within 10 business days of receiving the notification. Petitioners could take civil action against those who fail to comply, with statutory damages set at $3,000 for each day the content remained online.

  • The bill was referred to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and is slated for a hearing on April 6, 2026.
  • The measure builds upon previous legislation from Padilla that was signed into law two years ago and requires content creators that feature minors in at least 30% of their material to place some of their earnings into a trust the children can access when they turn 18.

The players

Caymi Barrett

The daughter of a social media influencer who advocates for the bill, saying she navigates life with a digital footprint she wishes never existed.

Sen. Steve Padilla

The Democratic senator from San Diego who introduced the bill, saying it would help protect the dignity and mental health of those who had their childhood shared on social media.

Alyson Stoner

A former child actor who appeared in films like 'Step Up' and 'Cheaper by the Dozen,' and now works as a mental health advocate, speaking at the news conference about the risks of children's lives being on display.

Ruby Franke

A prominent 'mommy blogger' who shared stories about her family in Utah on YouTube and pleaded guilty to child abuse in 2023.

Shari Franke

Ruby Franke's daughter, who now advocates for more child protections online.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Everything my mom posted is still on social media. Photos I wish never saw the light of day, private details about my health, even when I started my first menstrual cycle.”

— Caymi Barrett

“The evolution of these applications and technology is incredible, but it's changing our social dynamic and it's creating situations that, while very productive for some folks, also need some guardrails.”

— Sen. Steve Padilla

“The boundaries have blurred as personal home spaces become sets for content and the child's real life becomes entertainment. Family members or surrounding adults who are supposed to be safe and trustworthy figures are often the ones filming.”

— Alyson Stoner, mental health advocate

“Everything that came with posting trumped my safety and well being. To this day, I still wonder in the back of my mind what a person knows about me and if they have a pre-determined opinion of me based off of my mother's posts.”

— Caymi Barrett

What’s next

The bill is slated for a hearing in the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee on April 6, 2026.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to address the growing concerns over the exploitation of minors on social media and the blurring of boundaries between personal and public life, as more parents seek to profit from sharing their children's lives online. If passed, it could set a precedent for greater protections for children's digital privacy and autonomy.