Alabama committee hears public testimony on competing bills to restrict minors' social media access; no votes taken

A House committee of the Alabama Legislature held public hearings on two bills that would limit minors' access to social media and require age verification, but the committee did not take votes during the session.

The bills drew testimony from the sponsors and outside witnesses about differing approaches: one proposal would bar people under age 16 from having their own social media accounts without parental consent, while the other would create a regulated “minor account” framework with parental access and platform requirements such as limits on infinite scrolling, push notifications and adult-to-minor direct messaging.

Why it matters: Lawmakers and witnesses said the bills aim to reduce harms to children tied to online bullying, predatory contact and addictive design. Opponents warned the measures raise First Amendment and privacy issues, and several witnesses urged the committee to work with stakeholders and monitor litigation in other states.

The hearing began with a sponsor describing the intent of HB235 as a straightforward restriction "that the state of Alabama not allow a person who is under the age of 16 to have their own social media account…