Georgia kids would need parental permission to join social media if Senate Republicans get their way

Republican state Sen. Jason Anavitarte, of Dallas, speaks to a House subcommittee on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, at the Capitol in Atlanta. Anavitarte and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, that they will seek to pass a law in 2024 requiring social media companies to obtain a parent's permission for children to sign up for accounts. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy, File)

Georgia could join other states requiring children to have their parents’ explicit permission to create social media accounts.

Two top Republicans in the Georgia state Senate — Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Sen. Jason Anavitarte of Dallas — said in a Monday news conference they will seek to pass such a law in 2024. The proposal could also restrict accounts on other online services.

“It’s important that we empower parents,” Anavitarte said. “A lot of parents don’t know how to restrict content.”