Law / United States / 
Idaho
HB 542 (2026), Stop Harms from Addictive Social Media Act
Idaho Code tit. 48, ch. 21 (2026 Idaho Sess. Laws ch. 268)
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What follows is LexLint's own research summary of this law, not legal advice.
In force 84 days, effective 1 July 2026.
A social media and minors rule binding private bodies.
As of 2 September 2026.
What this law does
Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page.
Requires large social media platforms, those with at least $1 billion in worldwide advertising revenue, to use reasonable age estimation for Idaho account holders and obtain verifiable parental consent before a child, defined as an Idaho resident 16 years of age or younger, may hold an account, and bars addictive interface features and certain advertising directed at children. A platform may treat an account holder as an adult only with at least 80 percent confidence the user is older than 16. Creates a private right of action. Signed April 2, 2026, as 2026 Idaho Session Laws chapter 268.
If you get it wrong
Criminal exposureNo
Private right of actionYes
Penalty structure
Civil penalty available to the Idaho Attorney General under the Idaho Consumer Protection Act, Idaho Code sec. 48-606(1)(e), for a knowing or reckless violation, which sec. 48-2105(3)(a) of this Act deems a violation of Idaho Code sec. 48-603.
- Rule
- Per violation only
- As of
- 2 September 2026
- Currency
- USD
- Per violation unit
- Violation
- Per violation amount
- 5,000
Statutory damages
Available only where the covered platform's violation was reckless or knowing: the child or parent recovers actual damages established at trial or $10,000 in statutory damages, whichever is greater. A negligent violation recovers declaratory or injunctive relief, damages (including harm to mental health and emotional distress), court costs and reasonable attorney fees, but no $10,000 statutory floor. Punitive damages are separately available where the violation is part of a consistent pattern of reckless or knowing conduct.
- As of
- 2 September 2026
- Currency
- USD
- Per person reckless
- 10,000
Who enforces it
Enforcement body
Idaho Attorney General, who may exercise the investigative, legal, and other authority of the Idaho Consumer Protection Act (Idaho Code chapter 6, title 48) against a knowing or reckless violation; a child or parent also has a private right of action.
What it reaches
Age threshold
17
Obligation class
Age verification, Consent, Design code
Verification methods
Parental consent, Third party service, Self declaration
When LexLint raises it
operates_social_platform
Read the law
official Idaho Legislature bill history and enrolled act
Every line above is drawn from the primary source linked here, read on the date shown. This is a research summary, not legal advice.