Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana HB1178: Minor access to social media.
Status: In committee, January 5, 2026
Provides that a social media provider that meets specified conditions (provider) may not create an account for an individual who is less than 14 years of age (minor) unless the provider receives verifiable parental consent to creation of the account from a parent of the minor. Requires a provider that creates an account for a minor to: (1) provide the minor's parent with the option of receiving a separate password that allows the parent to set limits on the minor's use of the account; and (2) configure the account in a specified manner, including by disabling access by the account holder to specified features and functionality of the social media platform. Requires a provider to: (1) periodically verify the age of each Indiana account holder; and (2) terminate an account if: (A) the provider determines that the Indiana account holder is a minor; and (B) the provider did not receive verifiable parental consent for the creation of the account; subject to a specified process by which an account holder may dispute the provider's determination. Requires a provider to: (1) provide a minor account holder and the minor's parent with a clearly explained, simple to use, and easily accessible means of terminating the minor's account; and (2) terminate the minor's account within a specified time after receiving a request for the account's termination. Provides requirements for a provider's use and retention of information provided to the provider for purposes of verifiable parental consent. Provides that a provider that creates or maintains an account for a minor in violation of these requirements is subject to a civil action by the minor or a parent of the minor, and specifies remedies available to a prevailing plaintiff in such an action. Provides that the attorney general may independently enforce these requirements under the attorney general's authority to enforce Indiana law regarding unfair trade practices.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.
From the introduced text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation. SECTION 1. IC 24-5-0.5-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.104-2024, SECTION 42, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 3.(a) A supplier may not commit an unfair, abusive, or deceptive act, omission, or practice in connection with a consumer transaction. Such an act, omission, or practice by a supplier is a violation of this chapter whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction. An act, omission, or practice prohibited by this section includes both implicit and explicit misrepresentations. (b) Without limiting the scope of subsection (a), the following acts, and the following representations as to the subject matter of a consumer transaction, made orally, in writing, or by electronic communication, by a supplier, are deceptive acts: (1) That such subject of a consumer transaction has sponsorship, approval, performance, characteristics, accessories, uses, or benefits it does not have which the supplier knows or should 2026 IN 1178--LS 6789/DI reasonably know it does not have. (2) That such subject of a consumer transaction is of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, or model, if it is not and if the supplier knows or should reasonably know that it is not. (3) That such subject of a consumer transaction is new or unused, if it is not …
Sponsors
- Joanna King (R, HD-049) · primary sponsor
- Robert Behning (R, HD-091)
- Jake Teshka (R, HD-007)
Latest actions
- : First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary
- : Authored by Representative King
- : Coauthored by Representatives Behning, Teshka
Subjects: TECHNOLOGY; Communication (Including Internet, Phone Lines, Print Media, Radio, and Television), STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS; Attorney General, CHILDREN AND MINORS; Generally, TRADE REGULATIONS; Generally
Common questions
- What is HB1178?
- HB1178 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Minor access to social media.
- What does HB1178 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulation.
- What is the status of HB1178?
- In committee as of January 5, 2026. Latest action: First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary (January 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1178?
- Joanna King (R, HD-049), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1178?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1178
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.