Democrat Rob Sand calls for social media age limit in kids’ tech safety plan

Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has introduced a policy platform that would ban social media for children under the age of 16 and mandate strict age verification for app downloads. The plan aims to shift youth focus toward offline socialization while addressing research-backed concerns regarding the negative impact of digital platforms on mental health. This proposal signals a potential bipartisan push in Iowa to regulate the social media sector’s access to and monetization of minor users.

Rob Sand, the current Iowa state auditor and a candidate for governor, released a comprehensive tech safety plan that seeks to restrict social media access for minors and increase parental oversight across digital platforms. The proposal suggests a ban on social media for children under 16, alongside requirements for age verification and parental consent for apps that include terms of service agreements. Sand indicated that the policy should encompass not only traditional social media but also gaming and video platforms like Roblox and YouTube, citing the need for children to build "healthy habits" and "grit" through real-world interactions rather than digital engagement.

To implement these restrictions, Sand proposes modeling Iowa’s laws after Utah’s "App Store Accountability" Act, which tasks companies like Apple and Google with verifying user ages and securing parental permission for app downloads and in-app purchases. The platform also includes robust data privacy measures, such as a ban on the sale of minors' data and a prohibition on targeted advertising based on a minor's search history or personal information. Additionally, the plan would require that accounts for minors be private by default, with restricted geolocation services and direct messaging capabilities to prevent unsolicited contact from adults.

The proposal faces both legal and political hurdles, as the Computer & Communications Industry Association has already challenged similar Utah legislation in federal court on First Amendment grounds. Within Iowa, however, Sand sees an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation, noting that the Republican-controlled Legislature has previously debated social media age limits and parental authorization bills. Sand also commended Republican Governor Kim Reynolds for her 2025 law banning cellphones in classrooms, suggesting that his platform aligns with existing state efforts to mitigate the influence of technology on the mental health and social development of Iowa’s youth.