H.R. 6257: Safe Messaging for Kids Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Safe Messaging for Kids Act of 2025, aims to enhance the safety of minors using social media platforms by implementing specific regulations around messaging features. Below are the main provisions of the bill:

Prohibitions on Ephemeral Messaging Features

Social media platforms are prohibited from offering ephemeral messaging features to users under the age of 17. An ephemeral messaging feature is defined as any function that permanently deletes or makes inaccessible messages or media after a certain time or after being viewed. This means that social media companies cannot allow minors to use features that would enable messages to disappear.

Parental Controls for Messaging

The bill requires social media platforms that provide direct messaging features to offer parental controls for minors:

• Parents must be provided with user-friendly tools to manage their child's messaging activities.
• The controls must be easily accessible, clearly explained, and allow parents to:
  • Receive notifications about requests from unapproved contacts.
  • Approve or deny direct messaging requests.
  • View and manage a list of approved contacts.
  • Disable any direct messaging features for their children.

Default Settings for Users Under 13

For users under the age of 13, the default setting must disable all direct messaging features. Parents can only enable these features if they provide verifiable parental consent.

Warnings for App Store Downloads

App stores must provide clear warnings to parents when their child attempts to download an app that features direct messaging, especially if parental consent is required for the child to use it.

Enforcement and Compliance

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is given the authority to enforce these regulations as unfair or deceptive practices. State attorneys general may also bring actions against violators of the law.

Social media platforms will have specific timelines for compliance: one year to implement parental controls and 18 months for app store warnings after enactment.

Provisions on Privacy and Security

The bill emphasizes that it does not require platforms to weaken or compromise encryption. It aims to ensure the privacy and security of users' communications while implementing these controls.

Impact on State Laws

Once enacted, the provisions of this bill will preempt any state laws that are related to its aspects, meaning states cannot create conflicting regulations.

Severability and Transition Period

If any part of this law is found to be unconstitutional, the remaining provisions will still stand. The law is set to take effect 180 days after enactment, with specific deadlines for compliance for social media platforms.

Relevant Companies

• FB - Meta Platforms, Inc.: As a leading social media provider, Meta will need to adjust their messaging features, particularly for underage users, and implement parental controls.
• SNAP - Snap Inc.: Snapchat's explicit ephemeral messaging features will be directly impacted, requiring significant changes to comply with the new regulations.
• GOOGL - Alphabet Inc.: Google, which owns YouTube and other platforms that may be used by minors, will have to integrate parental controls on their messaging functionalities.