Rep. Zenger files social media protection bill in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Jeff Zenger in the North Carolina House seeks to protect minors from harmful social media content through platform regulations and age restrictions, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 301 on March 5 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, titled the Social Media Protection for Minors Act, aims to safeguard minors under 16 from harmful online social media by setting regulations on social media platforms. Effective March 1, 2025, it prohibits individuals under 14 from creating social media accounts and requires those aged 14 or 15 to obtain parental consent. Platforms must delete personal data upon account termination, unless legally required to retain it, and risk fines and lawsuits for non-compliance. The bill mandates age verification for platforms distributing content deemed harmful to minors, requiring minors to be at least 16 to access such material. Violations are classified as unfair trade practices subject to penalties and legal action. Enforcement involves the North Carolina Department of Justice, which can administer subpoenas and seek court orders for compliance. The bill also provides civil penalties for obstructing investigations and establishes that the provisions are severable, indicating other sections remain effective if one part is invalidated.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Neal Jackson proposed the most bills (14) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Zenger, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 74th House district, replacing previous state representative Wes Schollander.