H.R. 10337: To prohibit certain platforms from allowing covered users to create or maintain an account or profile on such platforms, and for other purposes.

This bill, called the 16 & Up Social Media Act, would bar certain social media-style platforms from allowing users under 16 to create or keep accounts or profiles.

What platforms are covered

The bill applies to publicly available internet services, websites, apps, or software that:

• let users create searchable usernames or profiles that others can find or follow,
• mainly exist to share user-generated content like text, photos, videos, or audio,
• use features designed to increase engagement or time spent on the platform, and
• use a user’s personal information to advertise, market, or recommend content.

The bill says a platform is not covered based on the content it hosts, but rather based on its design features.

What platforms would have to do

If a platform knows a user is under 16, it could not allow that user to create or maintain an account or profile. Existing accounts for under-16 users would have to be phased out under a timeline set in the bill:

• Within 60 days after enactment, identify accounts the platform knows belong to covered users.
• Within 180 days, notify those users that their accounts will be terminated.
• Within 30 days after notice, terminate the accounts or profiles.

Data handling after account termination

When an account is terminated under this bill, the platform would generally have to immediately delete personal data collected from or submitted by that user.

For up to 90 days after termination, the user could request a copy of their personal data, and the platform would have to provide it, if technically feasible and not blocked by licensing limits. The copy would need to be in a readable format and, when possible, in a portable, structured, machine-readable format. The platform would have 45 days to fulfill the request.

Appeal process

The bill would require platforms to set up a review process so users can challenge a decision that they are under 16. That process would need to:

• be clear and easy to use,
• decide appeals within 5 days,
• ask for only the minimum information needed to verify age, and
• use appeal materials only for the age-verification decision, not retain or reuse them for other purposes.

Enforcement and state role

The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the bill as an unfair or deceptive practice. States could also sue to stop violations, seek compliance, damages, restitution, or other relief, with notice to the FTC. The bill also limits conflicting state laws, but allows states to provide stronger protections and does not limit state contract, tort, or product-liability laws.

Timing

Unless otherwise specified, the bill would take effect one year after enactment.

Relevant Companies

• META — Meta’s Facebook and Instagram services likely fit the bill’s definition of covered platforms and could need to restrict or remove accounts for users under 16.
• SNAP — Snapchat likely fits the covered-platform definition and could be required to block or terminate under-16 accounts.
• PINS — Pinterest may be affected if it is treated as a covered platform under the bill’s criteria for user profiles, content sharing, and recommendation features.
• GOOGL — YouTube/Google services could be affected if any product is treated as a covered platform under the bill’s definition.
• TTD — The Trade Desk is not a direct social platform, so it is less likely to be directly impacted than consumer platforms; however, ad-tech companies could see indirect effects if covered platforms change their advertising and recommendation practices.