State House Passes Bill Dealing With Kids & Social Media

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives is backing legislation aimed at regulating how online social media platforms interact with children. However, its provisions are similar to those in state laws being blocked in federal courts. The bill passed Wednesday nearly along party lines, 105-95, with most Democrats for it and most Republicans against it. It faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled state Senate, and the nation’s highest court may soon decide whether such state-level provisions can be enforced. The bill would require social media platforms to respond to reports of threats or bullying, require users under 18 to get parental consent and bar the platforms from “data mining” users under 18.