Massachusetts
Subnational jurisdiction · as of 2026-07-15
Massachusetts has not yet enacted an age-gating statute, but both chambers of the legislature passed distinct social media bills for minors in 2026 that must be reconciled before either can reach the Governor. The House passed its version on April 8, 2026 by substituting the text of H.5349 into S.2581, a Senate passed school cellphone bill; it would bar platforms from allowing accounts for users under 14 and would require verifiable parental consent for 14 and 15 year olds, using the best available age verification technology. The Senate non-concurred and a conference committee was appointed in May 2026. The Senate separately passed S.3164 on July 9, 2026, which would instead require platforms to disable addictive design features, such as autoplay, infinite scroll, and algorithmic feeds, by default for minors, using an age verification method that need not rely solely on government ID. No adult content or app store age verification bill has advanced in Massachusetts.
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Instruments on record
S.2581 as amended by the House (text of H.5349), An Act to promote student learning and mental health
Proposed
Senate Bill No. 2581, 194th General Court, as amended by the House with the text of House Bill No. 5349
Applies to private
As passed by the House, would bar social media platforms from allowing an account for a user under 14, require termination and deletion of existing under-14 accounts by October 1, 2026, and require verifiable parental consent for 14 and 15 year old users, verified through the best available age verification technology, alongside a school day cellphone ban. The House engrossed it 129 to 25 on April 8, 2026 by substituting the text of H.5349; the Senate non-concurred on May 7, 2026 and the bill is in a six member conference committee.
| Age threshold | 14 |
| Verification methods | gov id, self declaration, parental consent |
| Enforcement body | Massachusetts Attorney General |
Source: Senate Bill No. 2581, 194th General Court, as amended by the House with the text of House Bill No. 5349
S.3164 (2026), An Act protecting children from addictive social media feeds
Proposed
Senate Bill No. 3164, 194th General Court
Applies to private
Would require social media platforms to disable, by default, algorithmic feeds, autoplay, infinite scroll, and other addictive design features on minors' accounts, send reminders after extended use, and turn off notifications overnight. Requires an age verification method that need not rely solely on government issued identification. Passed the Senate 38 to 2 on July 9, 2026, and is now before the House, which took a different under-14 ban approach in its own bill.
| Verification methods | self declaration, third party service |
| Enforcement body | Massachusetts Attorney General |
Source: Senate Bill No. 3164, 194th General Court