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Iowa House passes bill requiring parental permission for children to use social media

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Iowa House passes bill requiring parental permission for children to use social media


Iowa House lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday that would require children to have their parents’ permission to open and use social media accounts.

House File 2523 would prohibit those under 18 years old from creating an account on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok before receiving express permission from a parent or guardian. That parent or guardian can revoke permission at any time, and would be provided a password or other means of access to monitor activity on the platform.

Iowa’s attorney general would also be allowed to bring civil lawsuits against any company that violates the parental permission requirements or harms a resident of the state through their platform.

Rep. Charley Thomson, R-Charles City, said the bill filled in the gap between 13-year-olds, the minimum age to use social media under federal rules, and adults — and could act as a safeguard against the manipulation of minors online and further harm that stems from it.

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“I’d like this body to be cognizant of the number of deaths that have occurred because of exploitation of social media by bad actors,” said Thomson, the bill’s sponsor.

The measure passed the House with wide bipartisan support on an 88-6 vote.

“I think the intent of this bill is very good,” said Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids. “As somebody who grew up during the age of social media, I know firsthand some of the harms that can have on the mental health of children in our state.”

More: Iowa bill would require kids to get a parent’s permission to create social media accounts

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Iowa Poll: Most favor parental approval for social media

More than half of Iowans, 55%, say they favor the bill, the new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found, while 42% oppose it. The remaining 3% are not sure.

More: Iowa Poll: Most favor requiring parental approval for kids to have social media accounts

Support among Iowa parents with children under 18 is similar to support from all adults, with 57% of parents in favor and 41% opposed.  

The poll results reflect differences across party lines, with 61% of Iowa Republicans in favor of the bill, while 35% oppose it. In contrast, only 39% of Democrats support the bill, while a majority (55%) do not. Among independents, 57% favor the bill, while 42% oppose it.  

And support for the bill also varies among age groups, the poll shows. Fifty-nine percent of Iowans ages 45 and older support the legislation, while 52% of Iowans under age 35 oppose it. 

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Social media measures have encountered resistance in other states

Lawmakers in several other states — including Arkansas, Ohio and Utah — have sought similar restrictions on social media for youth.

But those laws have run into resistance, primarily from a tech trade group that includes Snap, Google, TikTok and Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram. That group has taken those measures to court and won temporary injunctions in Arkansas and Ohio.

Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, told the Register in February that he believed Iowa’s law “should survive a challenge” if taken to court.

Virginia Barreda contributed reporting.

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.

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Seahawks Select Iowa Guard Beau Stephens With 148th Overall Pick | 2026 NFL Draft

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Seahawks Select Iowa Guard Beau Stephens With 148th Overall Pick | 2026 NFL Draft


Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and president of football operations John Schneider met with media following day one of the NFL draft and discuss the decision to stay and pick at 32, what makes running back Jadarian Price special, how Price will fit into the offense and more at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.



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Steelers Land Fan Favorite Iowa OL With Third-Round Pick

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Steelers Land Fan Favorite Iowa OL With Third-Round Pick


The Pittsburgh Steelers continue beefing up their offensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft after previously taking Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round.

After trading picks No. 99 and 216 to the Seattle Seahawks for No. 96, the Steelers selected Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.

Dunker was a right tackle for the Hawkeyes, where he was a huge part of helping the team win the Joe Moore Award in 2025 as the nation’s top offensive line.

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As for how he projects to the next level, however, Dunker is likely to move inside for the Steelers at 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds and could compete with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman for the starting job at left guard.

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Dunker is a better run blocker than pass protector, but he is feisty in all facets of the game and possesses a ton of strength while also being rather technically sound.

A fan-favorite with his mullet and contagious personality, Dunker should fit right in with Pittsburgh.

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Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67) warms up before a football game against the Indiana Hoosiers Sept. 27, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

James Campen Offers Thoughts on Dunker

Speaking with reporters after the pick was made, Steelers offensive line coach James Campen listed some of the traits that drew him to Dunker.

“He is an aggressive kid,” Campen said. “Good football player. They’re so well-coached at Iowa. They come out and have established pad level and footwork. I’ve got a lot of respect for that football program, and the people who run it, but to be able to get a guy like him, a big, powerful kid that has position flexibility and has shown leadership in his play, his play style is really unique.”

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While confirming that he is slated to primarily line up at guard, Campen also shared that Dunker’s Senior Bowl participation allowed his leadership to shine through.

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“You always look for guys that are first in line doing things that are challenging or different like he did at the Senior Bowl. He was first in line to go and do new drills and things like that. So I’m sure there’s some leadership qualities there too.

“But we’re very excited to have him and to add to the O-line room. We’ll get him in here and take a look at him. I think at this point he’ll be at the guard position, and tackle will be his second position. But again, when you get players like this, you can always try to figure out which way he’s going to go. So, competition is good in those areas. So, he’ll probably end up playing a little bit of both, but primarily guard.”

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Owner of snake found dead in Iowa County has reached out to Sheriff’s Office

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Owner of snake found dead in Iowa County has reached out to Sheriff’s Office


MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – After a snake was found dead on the side of the road in Iowa County, the Sheriff’s Office said the snake’s owner has reached out to their agency.

The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office said the snake was found along County Highway Z, north of Hillside School.

Iowa County officials believe the snake had a medical emergency at a veterinary clinic and died. Sheriff Michael Peterson said the snake was supposed to be buried, but was instead put on the side of the rural road.

Large dead snake found dumped along Iowa County road; sheriff seeks information(Iowa County Sheriff’s Office)

Sheriff Peterson said Iowa County Sheriff’s Office staff will reach back out to the owner. The agency will also get help from the Iowa County District Attorney’s Office.

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Officials said the snake is not native to Wisconsin and they believed it was being kept in captivity before it was abandoned.

The sheriff’s office did not specify the species of the snake but described it as “very large.”

Large dead snake found dumped along Iowa County road; sheriff seeks information
Large dead snake found dumped along Iowa County road; sheriff seeks information(Iowa County Sheriff’s Office)

Iowa County Sheriff’s Office thanked Arena Fire Chief Todd Pinkham and others who helped remove the animal from the side of the road.

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Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.



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