United States of America: Safe Messaging for Kids Act (HR 6257) was introduced in House of Representatives

On 21 November 2025, the Safe Messaging for Kids Act (HR 6257) was introduced in the House of Representatives. The Act applies to social media platforms and app stores. It prohibits platforms from offering ephemeral messaging features (features that permanently delete communications sent between users once viewed by the recipient, after a predetermined period, or upon exiting the interface) to individuals under the age of 17. Social media providers that offer direct messaging features to users under 17 must provide easily accessible parental direct messaging controls. The controls must allow parents to receive alerts about requests from unapproved contacts seeking to engage with minors, allow the parent to approve or deny the request to communicate, and disable all direct messaging on the minor's account. The controls must also allow the parent to view and manage the approved contact list, and must inform the parent if the minor changes the age listed on their profile. By default, social media platform providers must disable direct messaging for users under 13. Platforms may not alter any additional features or services based on parental control activation. Platforms must take reasonable measures to prevent circumvention of parental controls. App stores must provide a setting which enables parental notification before a minor downloads an app with direct messaging features. The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for enforcement in alignment with the FTC Act, and states (represented by the attorney general, official, or agency of the state) may file a civil action on behalf of residents. The Act is to take effect 180 days following its enactment.