On February 21, 2026, the Oklahoma Senate made headlines by passing a bill aimed at regulating internet usage among minors in the state. The bill, known as the "Internet Safety for Minors Act," seeks to address the growing concerns surrounding online safety for children and teenagers.Under the proposed legislation, internet service providers would be required to offer optional parental controls that allow parents to restrict access to certain websites and content deemed inappropriate for minors. Additionally, the bill would establish a statewide education campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of online predators and cyberbullying.The bill, which was authored by Senator Emily Thompson, received bipartisan support in the Senate with a vote of 45-5 in favor of passing the legislation. Senator Thompson emphasized the importance of protecting children and teenagers from harmful online content and interactions."We cannot ignore the fact that the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, especially for our youth. It is our responsibility as lawmakers to ensure that our children are safe online and that parents have the tools they need to protect their children from potential harm," Senator Thompson said.The passage of the bill was met with praise from child advocacy groups and parents across the state. Many parents expressed their concerns about the increasing risks posed by the internet and welcomed the new regulations as a step in the right direction.However, the bill also faced criticism from some privacy advocates who argued that it could infringe on free speech rights and limit access to information for minors. Despite these concerns, proponents of the bill remain steadfast in their belief that protecting children's safety online should be a top priority.The "Internet Safety for Minors Act" will now move to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for further consideration. If approved by the House and signed into law by the governor, the bill would go into effect on January 1, 2027, making Oklahoma one of the first states in the country to implement comprehensive regulations on internet usage among minors.