Creates the Rhode Island Social Media Regulation act, which would not permit a Rhode Island resident who is a minor to be an account holder on a social media's platform unless the minor has the express consent of a parent or guardian.

Rhode Island Social Media Regulation Act – Plain English Summary

This bill would create a new law in Rhode Island requiring that anyone under 18 years old get clear, direct approval from a parent or legal guardian before they can create or maintain an account on a social media platform. In other words, minors could not simply sign up for social media on their own — a parent or guardian would need to give explicit permission first.

The bill primarily affects Rhode Island residents who are minors, their parents or guardians, and the social media companies that operate these platforms. Social media companies would likely be responsible for putting systems in place to verify parental consent before allowing a minor to become an account holder. Parents and guardians would gain a formal role in deciding whether their child can participate on these platforms.

The bill is currently moving through the Rhode Island Senate, having been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee before being transferred to the Senate Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies Committee, with a hearing scheduled for April 7, 2026. The legislation is part of a broader national conversation about children's safety and wellbeing online, though the specific details of how companies would verify parental consent and what penalties might apply for non-compliance are not outlined in the available description.