A new bill filed by State Rep. Wyatt Gable in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance privacy protections for minors using social media by regulating data use and platform practices, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 860 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Social Media Control in IT Act.’
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 Control in Information Technology Act, aims to protect user privacy, particularly for minors in North Carolina, on social media platforms with over 1 million monthly U.S. users. It prohibits the use of a minor’s personal data for advertising or algorithmic recommendations and mandates clear disclosure and consent mechanisms for data collection. Platforms must allow users to modify data usage settings and are obligated to ensure protections for minors, including disabling features that promote prolonged use. Violations of data privacy laws will be deemed unfair practices, taking effect on Oct. 1, 2026. Additionally, a North Carolina Data Privacy Task Force will be formed to monitor and report on social media’s mental health impacts. The Department of Justice is appropriated $100,000 annually for establishing related registries, effective July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Jake Johnson proposed the most bills (24) 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.
Gable graduated from East Carolina University in 2025 with a BS.
Gable, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 14th House district, replacing previous state representative George Cleveland.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyatt Gable, Chris Humphrey, Jake Johnson, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 860 | 04/09/2025 | Social Media Control in IT Act. |
| Wyatt Gable, David Willis, Hugh Blackwell, and Jake Johnson | HB 878 | 04/09/2025 | Increased Academic Transparency. |
| Wyatt Gable, Allen Chesser, Jonathan L. Almond, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 886 | 04/09/2025 | AEDs and CPR in Public Schools. |
| Wyatt Gable, Brian Echevarria, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 799 | 04/07/2025 | Ensure Nondiscrimination in Government. |
| Wyatt Gable, Jeff Zenger, Kyle Hall, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 814 | 04/07/2025 | Power Infrastructure Resiliency & Eff.(PIRE). |
| Wyatt Gable, Brian Turner, Jake Johnson, and Mike Clampitt | HB 721 | 04/02/2025 | Muddy Sneakers/St. Gerard House. |
| Wyatt Gable, Diane Wheatley, Hugh Blackwell, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 727 | 04/02/2025 | Marriage/Family Therapy Mods. |
| Wyatt Gable, David Willis, Jake Johnson, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 584 | 03/31/2025 | Permit/Provisional License Modifications. |
| Wyatt Gable, Cody Huneycutt, Kyle Hall, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 568 | 03/27/2025 | 2025 Omnibus Labor Amendments.-AB |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 526 | 03/26/2025 | Funds for Onslow Co. Sheriff’s Office. |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 527 | 03/26/2025 | Funds for Swansboro Rd Maintenance. |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 528 | 03/26/2025 | Funds for Coastal Carolina Community College. |
| Wyatt Gable, Allison A. Dahle, John R. Bell, IV, and Mark Brody | HB 520 | 03/25/2025 | Abuse and Deception by Telemarketers. |
| Wyatt Gable, Brian Biggs, Neal Jackson, and Steve Tyson | HB 411 | 03/17/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period for Primaries. |
| Wyatt Gable, Donnie Loftis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 384 | 03/12/2025 | Nat. Guard Tax Deduction for Fed. Pay. |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 359 | 03/10/2025 | Jacksonville Infrastructure Fund. |
| Wyatt Gable and Phil Shepard | HB 333 | 03/06/2025 | Jacksonville/ETJ Prohibited. |
| Wyatt Gable, Blair Eddins, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Keith Kidwell | HB 98 | 02/11/2025 | Patriotism Expression Act. |
| Wyatt Gable, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Blair Eddins, and Keith Kidwell | HB 72 | 02/10/2025 | AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EOs. |
| Wyatt Gable, Jonathan L. Almond, Keith Kidwell, and Steve Tyson | HB 89 | 02/10/2025 | University Vaccination Freedom Act. |
| Wyatt Gable, Keith Kidwell, Paul Scott, and Steve Tyson | HB 66 | 02/05/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period. |
