Contact Congress about S. 836: Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act

Online services would face stricter rules when they handle data about kids and teens. The bill covers teens ages 13 through 16, bans targeted ads based on their personal data, and gives families stronger rights over that data. It also tells the Federal Trade Commission to update and enforce the rules.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act is a House bill awaiting final action. The latest recorded action: Held at the desk.

Latest action on S. 836: Held at the desk.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects children, teens, and the families trying to manage their online privacy. It also directly affects websites, apps, games, connected devices, schools, and education technology companies that collect data from young users. Regulators and state officials would also play a bigger role because they would enforce the new rules and study how well they work.

Why this matters: This bill matters because many young people use apps, games, social media, and school tools that collect a lot of personal data, and current federal law does not fully cover teens. The bill would set stricter national rules for how that data gets collected, used, stored, shared, and protected. It could change how companies make money from young users, especially if they rely on targeted ads or heavy data tracking. Its real impact would depend on how companies follow the rules, how the Federal Trade Commission enforces them, and how states add protections of their own.

Key provisions in S. 836

• Federal online privacy rules would also cover teens ages 13 through 16. Right now, those protections mainly apply to children under 13.
• The bill treats more kinds of data as personal information. That includes tracking IDs, exact location, biometric data, and photos, videos, or audio that show a child’s or teen’s face or voice.
• Companies could not use a child’s or teen’s personal data for targeted ads aimed at that specific young person. They also could not let other companies do that.
• Companies could collect a child’s or teen’s personal data only when it fits the service being used or when the law clearly requires or allows it.
• Companies could keep a child’s or teen’s personal data only as long as reasonably needed. The limit is tied to finishing a transaction or providing the service the young person asked for.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 836

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 836

What is S. 836?

Online services would face stricter rules when they handle data about kids and teens. The bill covers teens ages 13 through 16, bans targeted ads based on their personal data, and gives families stronger rights over that data. It also tells the Federal Trade Commission to update and enforce the rules.

How do I support or oppose S. 836?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 836?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 836 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.