Bills signed to protect kids from exploitation on social media, crack down on online predators

Indiana Governor Mike Braun ceremonially signed two major bills into law to protect Hoosier kids from exploitation on social media and crack down on online predators.

Governor Braun was joined by the parents of Fishers teen Hailey Buzbee, who have courageously advocated for stronger protections for kids online.

“We are taking decisive action to empower parents and protect Hoosier children from online predators. These laws put stronger protections around children online, give parents more control, and strengthen Indiana’ s ability to crack down on predators and child exploitation. We are going to keep using every tool we have to protect kids, support families, and put predators who target children online behind bars,” said Governor Braun.

The two new Indiana laws take a stronger stand for child safety both online and offline.

HEA 1408 puts up new guardrails to protect Hoosier minors online and empower parents. The law requires covered social media platforms to obtain verifiable parental consent for accounts involving Indiana users under 16, prevents direct messages and search visibility for adolescent accounts, restricts algorithm-driven recommendations and certain addictive platform features, and empowers parents with stronger tools to monitor and limit their child’s use. These protections are enforceable by the Attorney General.

HEA 1303 strengthens Indiana’s response to child sexual exploitation and abuse by raising the penalty on child predators who exploit children with child sex abuse material, creating a new offense for distribution of child sex abuse material, and tightening offender registration requirements including for offenders coming from other jurisdictions.

This action builds on Governor Braun's crackdown on child predators online with Operation Guardian Angel and the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Last year, Indiana State Police arrested 499 people for crimes against children and rescued 126 children from ongoing abuse, while the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received 29,635 cyber tips — a 38% increase over the prior year.

Nearly 7,000 tips already logged this year and the task force has expanded by 50 officers to 520 across the state.