TOLEDO, Ohio – A new law geared towards empowering parents to monitor their children’s social media usage is set to take effect in Ohio in a few weeks. The Social Media Parental Notification Act is designed to ensure that Ohio parents are informed about the content their children encounter online.
Erin Wiley, MA, LPCC, founder of The Willow Center, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “I think it’s about time that all of these online platforms that are making millions off of children participate in protecting those kids.”
Wiley, a therapist working with children facing mental health challenges, highlighted the link between social media interactions and issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and body dysmorphic disorders.
The bill, introduced by Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, addresses these concerns by requiring social media and gaming companies to obtain parental consent before allowing individuals under 16 to use their platforms. The law, effective January 15, mandates companies to establish a method for verifying a child’s age, obtain verifiable consent from a parent or legal guardian, and notify parents when a new account is created.
Wiley supports the legislation, emphasizing that regulations and restrictions serve as vital reminders to parents about the significant impact of online interactions on developing minds. “It may not seem like a big deal, but it is a huge deal. These [children] don’t have fully developed brains yet,” Wiley remarked.
The law covers major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If parents or legal guardians decline to provide consent, companies must deny access or use to the child. Wiley remains hopeful that the enactment of this law will contribute to healthier relationships, both on and off the screen, reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and alleviating feelings of depression and isolation among children.