Iowa
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.
“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
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.
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.
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Four people were arrested during two separate traffic stops by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
The sheriff’s office explained that just before 8:30 p.m., an Iowa County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a vehicle in the 7000 block of US Highway 18-151 in the Town of Ridgeway.
Lee J. Kaul, 47, of Ridgeway was arrested for operating while revoked (REV due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotic drug.
Kaul was additionally held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold and transported to the Iowa County Jail.
About an hour later, another Iowa County deputy stopped a vehicle near US Highway 18 and Lisa Street in the City of Dodgeville, the sheriff’s said.
The sheriff’s office explained three people were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture/compound/convert/produce/store methamphetamine.
Ronald E. Slater, 56, of Platteville, Rayven E. Stanisch, 30, of Linden and Amy M. Gregory, 38, of Linden were all taken to the Iowa County Jail.
Gregory was also held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold.
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Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.
The Iowa City Community Band (ICCB) returns this summer with performances throughout Iowa City and Coralville in June and July. Now in its 43rd season, ICCB is proud to once again be led by Rob Medd, a retired band director from Iowa City West High School, for the 19th year.
We perform nine times, including Coralville’s 4thFest Parade and pre-fireworks show. Our first three concerts are:
- 12 noon, Saturday, June 6 at the Iowa Arts Festival in downtown Iowa City
- 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 10 at McPherson Park
- 7 p.m., Sunday, June 14 at Fairmeadows Park
Each concert features a combination of traditional marches, contemporary pieces, and some familiar classics. For a full concert schedule, visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ICCBand).
Rehearsals are held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. (May 30 through July 18, excluding June 6 and July 4) at West High School. New members — high school age and older — are welcome throughout the summer, with no audition required. Because new music is introduced each week, participation is flexible and ideal for those who can only join for part of the season. If you are interested in participating or learning more, send an email to iccb.communityband@gmail.com.
ICCB operates solely on donations from individuals and local businesses to provide free concerts to the public.
If you would like to contribute, send your donation to: Iowa City Community Band – c/o West Music, 1212 5th Street, Coralville, IA 52241. Make checks payable to “Iowa City Community Band”.
The Iowa City Community Band is ready for a great summer of making music together. We hope that you’ll join us often, either as a musician or an audience member. See you at the park.
April Donlon serves as the publicist and plays Alto Saxophone for the Iowa City Community Band.
MONONA, Iowa (KCRG) – One person was injured and a suspect is dead after a stabbing in Monona Wednesday night.
Monona police responded to a report of a stabbing in the 200 block of South Page Street at 7:37 p.m.
Officers found a person outside a residence suffering from multiple stab wounds. The person was taken to a local hospital with a tourniquet applied.
According to investigators, the suspect barricaded himself on the second floor of the residence, where he had access to several firearms. The Clayton County CERT Team was called in after several attempts to get the suspect to exit the residence failed.
The suspect was found dead from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
This is an ongoing investigation. No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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