Mass. House passes bill to protect children from social media, prohibit cell phones in schools

Also requires school districts to educate students on responsible use of social media

On April 8, 2026, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed (129-25) An Act to promote student learning and mental health, which requires social media companies to implement age verification systems to prohibit users under the age of 14, and to require parental consent from prospective social media users aged 14 and 15. Additionally, the bill protects students from distracting technology during the school day by prohibiting the use of cell phones from school arrival through dismissal. The bill also requires districts to educate students in age-appropriate ways about the responsible use of social media, including potential harms to emotional and mental health and bullying.

In 2025 a different version of the bill was passed by the Massachusetts Senate. The bill now goes back to the Senate to reconcile the bills’ differences.

“This bill will protect children from harmful content and addictive algorithms, and ensure that our students are able to focus in the classroom without the distraction from cell phones,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I would like to thank Chairman Michlewitz, Leader Peisch and Chairman Gordon for all their work on this bill, and all my House colleagues for recognizing the importance of ensuring that our kids are safe and able to succeed in the classroom.”

“Today the House took an important step in helping protect the children of the Commonwealth from predatory social media platforms. The science is clear that exposure to social media at a young age can have a harmful effect on a minor’s development,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), who is Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means.

“Today we took an important step toward protecting the health, safety, and well-being of children across the Commonwealth. Social media plays a significant role in young people’s lives, but without appropriate safeguards, it can expose them to harmful content, bullying, and addictive features that impact their mental health. This legislation strikes the right balance by putting age-appropriate protections in place while ensuring parents remain involved,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). “Equally important, creating phone-free classrooms will help students stay focused and engaged throughout the school day. Our schools should be places where students can learn, build relationships, and grow without constant digital distraction. By also requiring education on responsible social media use, we are equipping our students with the tools they need to navigate today’s digital world safely and responsibly.”

“Our kids go to school to learn. Cell phones are a distraction which damages socialization and learning. I believe this legislation is an important tool in improving our children’s education environment,” said Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco (D-Winthrop).

Social media ban for children

• Requires social media companies to implement an age verification system based on the best technology available in order to reasonably and accurately identify a current or prospective user’s age
• Prohibits minors under the age of 14 from social media platforms, by requiring platforms to terminate users under said age and delete associated personal information effective October 1, 2026
• Requires social media platforms to acquire verifiable parental consent for 14- and 15-year-old users of their platforms.
• Platforms must publicly post information related to:

⚬ The number of users processed using the age verification system

⚬ The number of users granted access to the social media feed due to the age determination appeal process

⚬ The number of users denied access to the social media feed due to the user not meeting age requirements

⚬ The number of users granted access to the social media feed after providing the platform with verifiable parental consent

⚬ The number of account user age verification review requests

⚬ The number of accounts subsequently terminated for not meeting age requirements due to account user age verification review requests

• Platforms found to be in violation of these requirements will be subject to civil fines.
• Prohibits social media platforms from sharing information about a minor’s LGBTQ+ status or other characteristics protected under state law
• Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) to provide guidance to districts on effective instruction on social media use
• Directs the AGO to promulgate regulations for online protections, annually review the definition of “social media platform” and maintain a public platform for reporting potential violations

Requirements for school districts

• Must implement a policy prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices, as determined by the School Committee. Districts must implement the policy during the school day and during school-sponsored activities occurring during the school day. Districts must also notify parents of said policy and ensure that parents still have the ability to contact their children during the school day and vice versa. This prohibition can be put into effect by way of:

⚬ Secure storage of personal electronic devices

⚬ The use of technology that renders personal electronic devices inoperable

⚬ Other methods, which will require the approval of DESE

• Must file their policy annually, no later than September 1, to DESE.
• Districts must make accommodations and exceptions as necessary, including for students with the following: Individualized Education Programs or disabilities that require the use of personal electronic devices; documented medical needs, including to treat or monitor a health condition; language access and translation needs, as authorized by the superintendent or a designee. Accommodations and exceptions must also be made in the event of an emergency.

Requirements for DESE

• Provide guidance, recommendations and a model policy to help districts with developing and implementing effective policies regarding the prohibition of personal electronic devices during the school day
• Include discipline safeguards to ensure that expulsion/suspension can’t be imposed solely for violating device policies
• Include DESE reporting requirements on implementation device policies, and effects of social media education

Pilot program

• DESE must issue a request for proposals for a pilot program in which 10 districts may participate that shall provide for a technological means of rendering a personal electronic device inoperable on school grounds during the school day
• DESE may select one or more bidders to provide such technology. In making such selection, DESE must consider the technology’s:

⚬ Compliance with state and federal privacy laws

⚬ Flexibility to allow districts to provide access to applications other than those designed for texting or talking

⚬ Ability to allow parents and students to communicate with each other

⚬ Ability to allow communication between students and emergency providers (911)

• The geo-fencing pilot includes privacy safeguards, including that providers can’t collect data for advertising or profiling.