Pennsylvania is poised to join other states implementing new limits on social media membership for children.

One reason, though, that states are stepping in is too many parents are not.

House Bill 2553, sponsored by Rep. Robert Mercuri, R-Wexford, would limit social media platform membership to those ages 14 and older. Social media companies would also have to require users to have an account to use the platform and certify that users are at least 14 years old by verifying the account holder’s driver’s license or other photo identification. Parents would be able to request a child’s account be deleted, with companies required to comply within 10 days. Companies would also be required to provide a reasonable, accessible and verifiable means by which a parent can make a request under this subsection.

Mercuri’s limits make sense, while we note recently announced changes by Meta that would make Instagram teen accounts private by default in an attempt to make the platform safer for children. Anyone under 18 who signs up for Instagram will be placed into restrictive teen accounts and those with existing accounts will be migrated over the next 60 days. With the latest changes, Meta is giving parents more options to oversee their kids’ accounts. Those under 16 will need a parent or guardian’s permission to change their settings to less restrictive ones. They can do this by setting up “parental supervision” on their accounts and connecting them to a parent or guardian.

It’s good that Meta is allowing parents more options to oversee their child’s social media accounts – but we also know that age limits and accounts overseen by parents are fallible. Teens will find ways around age limit verification, though verification could at least provide a speed bump to teens who try to find a way around age restrictions. Much like alcohol use or purchasing cigarettes, determined teenagers will find ways to get what they want.

The best solution, and one that is included in Mercuri’s bill, is parental involvement. Of course, nothing needs to change for that solution – parents simply need to parent their child. The tools proposed by Meta and Mercuri should make parental involvement easier, not be a substitute for involved parents.