Massachusetts Lawmakers Propose Sweeping Social Media Restrictions for Minors

Bill would ban social media use for children under 14 and impose strict parental consent rules for teens

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:44pm

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A fractured, abstract painting of a smartphone device in overlapping geometric shapes and waves of deep blue, teal, and violet colors, conveying the chaotic and disruptive impact of social media on young people.A new Massachusetts bill aims to curb the disruptive influence of social media and cell phones on the state's youth.Boston Today

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is planning to pass a bill on April 8 that would ban social media use for children under 14 in the state. The measure, which would be 'among the most restrictive in the entire country,' is part of a broader bill that also prohibits student cell phone use during the school day.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation reflects growing concerns about the mental health and well-being impacts of social media on young people. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has filed lawsuits against major tech companies for allegedly harming minors, and Governor Maura Healey has called for stronger protections, including age verification and parental consent requirements.

The details

The bill would require social media platforms to implement age-verification systems that prohibit minors under 14 from using their sites. Teens aged 14-15 would only be allowed on social media with verifiable parental consent. The measure also directs school districts to create policies banning student cell phone use during the school day, with 10 districts participating in a pilot program to render devices inoperable on campus.

  • The Massachusetts House plans to pass the bill on April 8, 2026.
  • The bill's social media restrictions and cell phone policies would go into effect on October 1, 2026.
  • The Attorney General must create regulations for implementing the new rules by September 1, 2026.

The players

Ron Mariano

Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Aaron Michlewitz

Massachusetts State Representative from Boston.

Andrea Campbell

Massachusetts Attorney General who has filed lawsuits against social media companies for harming minors.

Maura T. Healey

Governor of Massachusetts who has called for stronger social media protections for users under 18.

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What’s next

The House bill must now go to a conference committee to reconcile it with the original Senate version. Once consensus legislation is reached, it will need to be approved by both chambers before heading to the governor's desk.

The takeaway

This proposed law represents a significant shift in how Massachusetts seeks to protect minors from the potential harms of social media and cell phone use, reflecting a growing national trend toward greater regulation of technology's impact on young people's mental health and well-being.