HB235 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Social media, individuals under 16 years of age prohibited from creating accounts, age verification required, penalties for violations established

Summary

HB235 would bar anyone under 16 from creating social media accounts in Alabama and require platforms to verify ages, with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It would prohibit individuals under 16 from becoming social media account holders starting January 1, 2026. It would require platforms to use a commercially reasonable age-verification process. Violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices, with penalties and fees prosecuted by the Attorney General, and potential punitive damages for patterns of misconduct.

Who It Affects

• Social media platforms operating in Alabama, which must enforce the age ban and implement age-verification procedures or face penalties.
• Residents under 16 living in Alabama, who would be prohibited from creating new social media accounts.

Key Provisions

• Section 2: Beginning January 1, 2026, no individual under 16 may become a social media account holder.
• Section 3: Beginning January 1, 2026, platforms must use a commercially reasonable age-verification process for new account creation.
• Section 4(a): Violations are deceptive trade practices; the Attorney General may sue for civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation plus fees and costs.
• Section 4(b): If violations show a consistent pattern of knowing or reckless conduct, punitive damages may be pursued.
• Section 4: The Attorney General is the enforcing authority for the act.
• Section 5: The act becomes effective January 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Consumer Protection