Overview

This bill mandates that social media companies give parents access to their deceased child's accounts if the child was under 18. The aim is to allow parents to access their child's digital legacy, potentially containing important memories or information.

Description

The Social Media (Access to Accounts) Bill requires the Secretary of State to create regulations compelling social media companies to provide access to the accounts of deceased children under 18. Access will only be granted upon request from a parent, as defined by the Education Act 1996. The regulations will establish criminal (fines) and civil penalties for non-compliance. These regulations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament before they can be enacted. The bill applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and will come into force upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost will depend on the resources required to create and enforce the regulations. This could include staffing for overseeing compliance and handling potential legal challenges.

Groups Affected

• Parents of deceased children under 18: This bill directly benefits them by potentially providing access to their child's online accounts.
• Social media companies: They are legally obligated to comply with the regulations, incurring potential costs and administrative burdens.
• Law enforcement: They may be involved in enforcing the regulations and investigating non-compliance.

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