NC advances youth privacy bill targeting social media

North Carolina lawmakers have taken a major step toward reshaping how social media platforms interact with young users. House Bill 860, “Social Media Control in IT Act,” cleared the House Standing Committee on Commerce and Economic Development unanimously on June 17. 

The Republican-backed bill targets the core of how social media companies use North Carolinians data. The bill prohibits platforms with more than 1 million monthly US users from using data belonging to minors. The bill would require that platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook no longer be able to use personal data for advertising purposes or creating tailored algorithms. These social-media apps would also be required to obtain clear, opt-in consent from users before using any personal information in their recommendation systems. 

In addition to protecting user data, the bill mandates a number of privacy-friendly default settings for minors: notifications and autoplay must be turned off, reaction and engagement counts hidden, and communication and location-sharing restricted unless the user explicitly allows it. Companies must also provide tools for users to delete or correct personal information and are barred from punishing users who choose not to share data. 

An ongoing push to protect minors from social media 

HB 860 is part of a broader legislative package aimed at reining in social media harms. Earlier this month, the NC House advanced HB 301, which would ban social media accounts for children under 14, require parental consent for teens under 16, and mandate rigorous age-verification processes. Additionally, HB 959 passed in a 106-1 vote just last week. That measure would prohibit students from accessing social media sites in the classroom and includes lessons for students to understand the harms of excessive social media use. 

Legislators believe the need for these social media provisions in North Carolina is critical. Advocates of reining in teen social media use often point to studies showing the detrimental effects of social media on the developing brain. These studies link excessive screen time to depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and other serious mental health issues. For minors in the adolescent phase, these side effects can cause permanent damage, even resulting in suicidal ideation. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for North Carolinians between the ages 10-18, according to the State Health Department. 

Lawmakers call out dangerous effects of social media on minors 

Rep. Jeff McNeely, R-Iredell, a primary sponsor of the bill, introduced the legislation to the committee. He pointed to the ongoing need to protect children from the harms of social media. 

“We are trying to protect our most vulnerable group out there, and that’s our children,” said McNeely. 

Rep. Wyatt Gable, R-Onslow, who made history as the youngest person ever elected to the NC General Assembly, referenced his first-hand experience with social media addiction. 

“I know a lot of people that are in my age group, or maybe some younger siblings of friends I have, that struggle with this,” said Gable. 

Gable said people shouldn’t be concerned that children will be barred from social media altogether. 

“This isn’t banning anybody from social media. It’s keeping the companies from actually tracking data and pushing unsavory stuff on our children,” he said. 

HB 860 also establishes a North Carolina Data Privacy Task Force, composed of lawmakers, health professionals, educators, and youth advocates. Starting in March 2026, the task force will issue annual reports to the General Assembly focused on social media’s effects on youth mental health and recommend policy improvements.

The bill passed out of the committee unanimously and will be referred to the House Appropriations Committee for further review.

The post NC advances youth privacy bill targeting social media first appeared on Carolina Journal.

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