(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana Governor Mike Braun is calling on state lawmakers to impose new restrictions on social media use by children following the death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee of Fishers.
Braun said the tragedy should serve as a "clarion call" for action, urging legislation that would ban social media use for children under 13 and require parental consent for teens ages 13 to 17.
"It's already been legislated in other states," Braun said. "I think most Hoosier parents would be quite comfortable with that."
While several proposals have been introduced this session, progress has been limited. A provision restricting social media use for minors was removed from Senate Bill 199, and two other bills requiring age verification never received hearings.
In a statement posted on X, Braun said he is working with the Indiana State Police to identify gaps in the state's alert system. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith has called for "Hailey's Law," which would create new "Pink Alerts" for missing children at risk and require predator awareness education focused on online grooming.
Indiana schools already mandate age-appropriate instruction on recognizing child abuse and sexual abuse, but state leaders say additional measures may be needed to better protect children in the digital age.