16 and below soon need parents' permission to use social media

CLEVELAND — Parents and guardians are soon going to have more control over how they monitor their children’s social media usage. The Social Media Parental Notification Act goes into effect across Ohio in mid-January.

Teens and kids are spending more time than ever using screens and social media. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 95% of teens ages 13-17 use social media, and 46% of that age group said social media makes them feel worse, especially about their body image. The state of Ohio has now stepped in to combat those statistics and protect Ohio children from the dangers of social media by passing the Social Media Parental Notification Act. The new law goes into effect on Jan. 15.

“There is a legitimate state interest right to protect those under 16 from some of these identifiable harms,” said Tara Coleman, Cleveland civil attorney.