Gov. Greg Gianforte is calling for new protections for children and teenagers on social media, saying parents need more support as concerns grow over screen time, addictive design and the effects of online platforms on young people.
Gianforte visited Skyview High School in Billings, where he met with students, parents, educators and lawmakers to discuss social media use and possible policy changes ahead of the next legislative session.
The governor said social media has become a major part of how young people communicate, but argued that some platforms are designed in ways that can be addictive and disruptive. He said future policies should protect minors while preserving parental authority and privacy.
During the roundtable, Skyview student Bridger Free described the pressure students face from social media, including constant comparison with others and concerns about body image. He also pointed to the amount of time young people spend scrolling rather than learning or interacting in person.
Parents at the event raised similar concerns, including difficulty keeping up with rapidly changing technology and uncertainty over how to protect children without banning social media entirely.
State lawmakers are also examining the issue. Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, said the Interim Energy and Technology Committee is working on bipartisan legislation aimed at limiting design features that encourage compulsive use by minors, including notifications, infinite scrolling and engagement-driven feeds.
Gianforte also pointed to recent changes announced by Meta for users under 18, including a cumulative two-hour daily limit across Facebook and Instagram, overnight restrictions on some content, autoplay controls and additional parental safeguards.
The governor called those changes a useful first step but said broader action is still needed.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen said her office is focused on making sure schools and educators have tools and resources to keep students safe and engaged in the classroom.
The issue builds on Gianforte’s earlier push for schools to adopt cellphone-free policies. In 2024, he urged Montana superintendents to reduce phone use during the school day, citing sharp increases in daily screen time among teenagers and younger children.
Gianforte said the administration plans to work with lawmakers on social media protections in the upcoming session.