Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901)
Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901) in Arkansas: blocked, effective N/A (enjoined). Applies to Social media platforms. Age range: Under 16 / minors. Original SB 396 (2023): age verification and parental consent for minor accounts
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Category | Social Media |
| Status | blocked |
| Effective date | N/A (enjoined) |
| Age range | Under 16 / minors |
| Applies to | Social media platforms |
Key requirements
- Original SB 396 (2023): age verification and parental consent for minor accounts
- Act 900 (2025): prohibits design practices that evoke addiction or compulsive behavior in minors; redefines minor as 16 or younger
- Act 901 (2025): private right of action for parents when platform content or feeds cause eating disorders, suicide attempts, or addiction
Notes
SB 396 permanently enjoined (March 2025); state appealing to the Eighth Circuit. Act 901 preliminarily enjoined December 15, 2025 and Act 900 preliminarily enjoined April 20, 2026 (NetChoice v. Griffin); court denied Arkansas's motion to alter the ruling.
Frequently asked
What does Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901) require?
Original SB 396 (2023): age verification and parental consent for minor accounts Act 900 (2025): prohibits design practices that evoke addiction or compulsive behavior in minors; redefines minor as 16 or younger Act 901 (2025): private right of action for parents when platform content or feeds cause eating disorders, suicide attempts, or addiction
Who must comply with Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901) in Arkansas?
Social media platforms
When does Social Media Safety Act (SB 396) & 2025 Amendments (Acts 900 / 901) take effect and what is its status?
Effective N/A (enjoined). Current status: blocked. SB 396 permanently enjoined (March 2025); state appealing to the Eighth Circuit. Act 901 preliminarily enjoined December 15, 2025 and Act 900 preliminarily enjoined April 20, 2026 (NetChoice v. Griffin); court denied Arkansas's motion to alter the ruling.
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (HB 1717) | Arkansas | Consumer Privacy | active | July 1, 2026 |
| Children's Social Media Safety Act (HB 5511) | Illinois | Social Media | pending | 2028 |
| Kids Over Clicks — Youth Online Safety Package (SB 757-760) | Michigan | Social Media | pending | TBD (pending House) |
| Nevada Youth Online Safety Act (SB 63) | Nevada | Social Media | active | January 1, 2026 |
| Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976) | California | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 (partial); age verification January 1, 2027 |
| California Addictive Features Ban for Under-16s (AB 1709) | California | Social Media | pending | TBD (awaiting Governor) |
| Healthier Social Media Use by Youth Act (HB 24-1136) | Colorado | Social Media | blocked | N/A (enjoined) |
| Online Protections for Minors (HB 3) | Florida | Social Media | challenged | January 1, 2025 |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: COPPA policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: Privacy Program Bundle (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: 2026 US Privacy Program Workbook (ciso.diy)