The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) easily passed the Senate today, notwithstanding critics’ concerns that the bill may risk creating more harm than good for kids and potentially censor speech for online users of all ages if it becomes law.
KOSA received broad bipartisan support in the Senate, passing with a 91–3 vote alongside the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Action (COPPA) 2.0. Both bills aim to control how much data can be collected from minors and regulate platform features that could harm children’s mental health.
In an op-ed, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who opposed the bills, argued that KOSA imposes a “duty of care” on platforms that “will not only stifle free speech, but deprive Americans of technological advancements.” Paul noted that the subjective nature of what is considered harmful to kids makes the bill problematic.
During a KOSA critics’ press conference, Dara Adkison, the executive director of TransOhio, expressed concerns that the bill could target sites providing vital resources for transgender youths.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a co-sponsor of KOSA, denied that the bill aims to regulate content, The Hill reported. Blumenthal asserted that the goal is to ensure social media is “safe by design” for young users.
According to The Washington Post, KOSA and COPPA 2.0 represent the most significant restrictions on tech platforms to clear a chamber of Congress in decades. However, passage in the House remains uncertain, with substantial opposition expected.
Todd O’Boyle, a senior tech policy director for Chamber of Progress, indicated that political divides might be enough to block KOSA’s passage. He noted that there is widespread agreement that the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission should not have the power to determine harmful online content.