Teens on social media: Red, blue and purple states are all passing laws to restrict and protect adolescents

While more states are trying to regulate how teenagers and preteens use social media, the federal government has not acted yet on the issue. Daniel de la Hoz/Getty Images

Children should be seen and not heard, or so the old saying goes. A new version of this adage is now playing out across the United States, as more states are passing laws about how children and teens should use social media.

In 2024, approximately half of all U.S. states passed at least 50 bills that make it harder for children and teens to spend time online without any supervision.