Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to enhance online safety for minors, particularly concerning social media usage. In April 2023, she signed the Social Media Safety Act (SB396) into law, mandating that social media companies with annual revenues exceeding $100 million verify the age of new users and obtain parental consent for those under 18. This law was set to take effect in September 2023. (governor.arkansas.gov)
However, the implementation of this law faced legal challenges. In August 2023, a federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of the act, questioning its constitutionality and effectiveness. The judge’s ruling highlighted concerns about potential violations of free speech and privacy rights. (apnews.com)
In response to these challenges, Governor Sanders has been proactive in seeking alternative measures to protect children online. In January 2025, she introduced the "Bell to Bell, No Cell" Act, aiming to ban smartphones and other electronic devices in public schools. This initiative followed a pilot program where the state provided pouches for students to store their phones during class. Sanders attributed the rise in youth mental health issues to unrestricted smartphone and social media use. (axios.com)
Furthermore, Governor Sanders has called on Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), emphasizing the need for federal intervention to address the challenges posed by social media platforms. She criticized tech companies for not implementing sufficient safeguards and urged lawmakers to take action to protect children online. (governor.arkansas.gov)
These legislative efforts underscore Governor Sanders’ commitment to safeguarding minors from the potential harms associated with social media and digital platforms.
Recent Developments in Arkansas’ Social Media Legislation:
- Sanders moves to ban cellphones in schools
- Judge blocks Arkansas law requiring parental OK for minors to create social media accounts
- Capitol roundup: Social media, prison funding fights
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