North Carolina legislators are advancing House Bill 301, a bill that aims to significantly restrict social media access for minors. The proposed legislation would ban social media accounts for children under 13 and require parental consent for users aged 14 and 15. Social media companies face substantial fines and potential lawsuits if they fail to comply, with penalties reaching up to $50,000 per violation. [IMAGE_1] This initiative stems from widespread concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health, echoing lawsuits filed by North Carolina and other states against companies like Meta.
Beyond age restrictions, the bill includes a forward-thinking amendment mandating updated computer science standards to incorporate instruction on artificial intelligence (AI). The state Department of Public Instruction will partner with N.C. State University to develop AI training for educators. [IMAGE_2] This dual focus highlights legislative efforts to protect minors online while also preparing them for an increasingly AI-driven future.
