Sheriff Chad Chronister supports the Safe Messaging for Kids Act of 2025, a federal effort to protect children and increase accountability on social media platforms.
The SMK Act of 2025 protects minors by limiting dangerous private and disappearing messaging features while giving parents control over who can contact their children online.
For kids under 13, direct messaging will be disabled by default. For teens under 17, parents can receive alerts when an unapproved contact sends a message, approve or deny those requests, and manage the list of approved contacts. These safeguards are designed to cut off the digital tools predators rely on to target children and hide their criminal activity.
“Predators thrive in private and disappearing messages,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I’ve seen firsthand how these features are used to target and groom children. The Safe Messaging for Kids Act puts safety first by giving parents real control and cutting off the tools predators rely on.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office works around the clock to protect children, and this legislation supports law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to prevent exploitation before harm occurs.“Children are one of the most vulnerable populations online,” said Sheriff Chronister. “This legislation is about prevention and accountability. It supports the work law enforcement is already doing every day and helps parents and educators keep kids safe.”
Sheriff Chronister is encouraging community members, parents, teachers, and school leaders to support the Safe Messaging for Kids Act of 2025, to help create a safer online environment for children.The Safe Messaging for Kids Act of 2025 is moving through Congress for consideration.