Indiana Sets Limits on Social Media Features for Under-16 Accounts

New law aims to restrict negative impacts on children by requiring parental permission and limiting certain features.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Indiana has passed a new law that will require social media companies to verify the ages of users and get parental permission to create accounts for anyone under 16. The law also restricts certain features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, and livestreaming for these underage accounts.

Why it matters

Lawmakers hope the new law will help address the negative impacts of social media on child development, such as issues with impulse control and time management. The law targets specific features within social media platforms that research has shown can encourage compulsive and problematic use.

The details

Beginning January 1, 2027, social media companies will have to verify the ages of anyone requesting an account in Indiana. For users under 16, they will need to get parental permission to create an account. These underage accounts will also be restricted from having features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, and livestreaming capabilities. The accounts will also be limited in who they can message, only allowing contact with direct connections.

  • The new law will take effect on January 1, 2027.
  • Lawmakers have considered similar legislation in each of the past three sessions, but the disappearance and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee in January pushed the new law over the finish line.

The players

Mike Braun

The Republican governor of Indiana who signed the new social media law.

Shu Su

An assistant chair of the department of early childhood, youth and family studies at Ball State University who commented on the research behind the new law.

Mike Bohacek

A Republican state senator who wrote similar legislation last year and pressed for clarification on the revenue threshold for the new law.

Jeff Raatz

The Republican state senator who sponsored the new social media law.

Hailey Buzbee

A 17-year-old who disappeared and died after communicating with a man through an online gaming platform, an incident that helped push the new law forward.

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What they’re saying

“One of the most consistent findings in the research is, the strongest predictor of a negative outcome is not simply you have an account, or you're spending time online, but what we call problematic or compulsive use, and that kind of compulsive use is encouraged by specific design features that build into platforms.”

— Shu Su, Assistant Chair, Department of Early Childhood, Youth and Family Studies, Ball State University (wishtv.com)

“Hopefully, by changing the experience, they feel like they are less likely to use those platforms, though she added it's possible teens might seek out less-used platforms that face fewer restrictions.”

— Shu Su, Assistant Chair, Department of Early Childhood, Youth and Family Studies, Ball State University (wishtv.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.