Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill into law Wednesday that will require large social media companies to institute age verification checks for new users and to require those younger than 18 to seek parental permission to open an account.
Sanders said the law, which was approved by the General Assembly last week, “is another step in protecting our kids” from the hazards of the internet.
The law, known as the Social Media Safety Act, will require large social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok to contract with third-party vendors to preform age verification checks. The legislation will apply only to Arkansas residents seeking to open a new social account after the bill takes effect Sept. 1, Sanders told reporters at a bill signing ceremony at the state Capitol.
