No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6265 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6265
To require online video game providers to provide certain safeguards
for minors, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 21, 2025
Mr. Kean introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require online video game providers to provide certain safeguards
for minors, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Safer Guarding of Adolescents from
Malicious Interactions on Network Games Act'' or the ``Safer GAMING
Act''.
SEC. 2. SAFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE VIDEO GAME PROVIDERS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Adult user.--The term ``adult user'' means a user of an
interactive online video game if the provider of such game
knows that such user is not a minor.
(2) Covered user.--The term ``covered user'' means a user
of an interactive online video game if the provider of such
game knows that such user is a minor.
(3) Interactive online video game.--The term ``interactive
online video game'' means a video game that--
(A) connects to the internet; and
(B) allows a user of such video game to communicate
with other users of such video game.
(4) Know; knows.--The term ``know'' or ``knows'' means to
have actual knowledge or to have acted in willful disregard.
(5) Minor.--The term ``minor'' means an individual under
the age of 18 years.
(6) Online video game provider.--The term ``online video
game provider'' means a person that provides an interactive
online video game directly to a consumer for the use of the
consumer, including through a website, mobile application, or
other online means.
(7) Parent.--The term ``parent'' means the legal guardian
of a minor.
(8) Video game.--The term ``video game'' means a device or
software program that--
(A) receives and stores data or instructions
generated by the user of such object, device, or
software program; and
(B) processes such data or instructions to create
an interactive game for such user to play or view on a
computer, gaming system, console, mobile device, or
other technological means.
(b) Safeguards Required.--
(1) In general.--An online video game provider shall
provide safeguards to the parent of a covered user of an
interactive online video game of such provider that allow the
parent to limit communication between such covered user and any
other user (including any adult user) of such online video
game.
(2) Features.--An online video game provider required to
provide safeguards under paragraph (1) shall ensure the
following:
(A) The safeguards--
(i) are accessible and easy-to use;
(ii) are enabled by default on the account
of a covered user of the interactive online
video game of such provider; and
(iii) can be disabled only by the parent of
the covered user.
(B) The most protective level of control offered to
a user with respect to privacy and safety settings--
(i) includes such safeguards by default;
and
(ii) with respect to a covered user, can be
disabled only by the parent of the covered
user.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to prohibit an online video game provider from
providing the parent of a covered user of an interactive online
video game of such provider with the ability to limit or allow
communication between the covered user and multiple other
users.
(4) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect on
the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(c) Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission.--
(1) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices.--A violation of
subsection (b) shall be treated as a violation of a regulation
under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act
(15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or
practices.
(2) Powers of commission.--The Federal Trade Commission
shall enforce subsection (b) in the same manner, by the same
means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as
though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into
and made a part of this section. Any person who violates
subsection (b) shall be subject to the penalties and entitled
to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade
Commission Act.
(3) Authority preserved.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to limit the authority of the Federal Trade
Commission under any other provision of law.
(d) Actions by States.--
(1) In general.--In any case in which the attorney general
of a State, or an official or agency of a State, has reason to
believe that an interest of the residents of such State has
been or is threatened or adversely affected by an act or
practice in violation of subsection (b), the State, as parens
patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of
the State in an appropriate State court or an appropriate
district court of the United States to--
(A) enjoin such act or practice;
(B) enforce compliance with such subsection;
(C) obtain damages, restitution, or other
compensation on behalf of residents of the State; or
(D) obtain such other legal and equitable relief as
the court may consider to be appropriate.
(2) Notice.--Before filing an action under this subsection,
the attorney general, official, or agency of the State involved
shall provide to the Federal Trade Commission a written notice
of such action and a copy of the complaint for such action. If
the attorney general, official, or agency determines that it is
not feasible to provide the notice described in this paragraph
before the filing of the action, the attorney general,
official, or agency shall provide written notice of the action
and a copy of the complaint to the Federal Trade Commission
immediately upon the filing of the action.
(3) Authority of federal trade commission.--
(A) In general.--On receiving notice under
paragraph (2) of an action under this subsection, the
Federal Trade Commission shall have the right--
(i) to intervene in the action; and
(ii) upon so intervening--
(I) to be heard on all matters
arising therein; and
(II) to file petitions for appeal.
(B) Limitation on state action while federal action
is pending.--If the Federal Trade Commission or the
Attorney General of the United States has instituted a
civil action for violation of subsection (b) (referred
to in this subparagraph as the ``Federal action''), no
State attorney general, official, or agency may bring
an action under this subsection during the pendency of
the Federal action against any defendant named in the
complaint in the Federal action for any violation of
such subsection alleged in such complaint.
(4) Rule of construction.--For purposes of bringing a civil
action under this subsection, nothing in this Act shall be
construed to prevent an attorney general, official, or agency
of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney
general, official, or agency by the laws of such State to
conduct investigations, administer oaths and affirmations, or
compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of
documentary and other evidence.
(e) Preemption.--No State or political subdivision of a State may
prescribe, maintain, or enforce any law, rule, regulation, requirement,
standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law, if
such law, rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision
relates to the provisions of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
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