Houchin keeps pressing for under-16 social media restriction in post-election session

Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., is continuing her push to set a minimum age for social media use as part of a possible post-midterm online safety deal. Her original proposal was revised in committee to substitute a parental permission requirement for processing data on minors under 16, and she later introduced a separate bill with Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., that would bar accounts for users younger than 16. Houchin said she was unaware of active negotiations during the pre-election recess, but noted that House and Senate committee staff have been discussing multiple topics.

Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., has worked with Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., on a framework for an under-16 social media age minimum and parental consent for older teens. Her earlier proposal, advanced by committee in September, originally banned under-16 use but was changed to require parental approval before platforms process data for those users.

She later introduced a separate measure, co-sponsored by Auchincloss, to prohibit accounts for users under 16 and require removal of younger users’ accounts and data. Houchin said she knew of no active pre-recess negotiations, though House and Senate committee staff have discussed several issues.