US Senate Advances Kids Online Safety Act
The US Senate Commerce Committee has voted to advance the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill aimed at protecting children online. The bill requires social media companies to provide opt-out options for addictive features and a 'duty of care' to mitigate harm from certain content. The House of Representatives passed its own version in June, but key differences remain.
Key points
- The Senate Commerce Committee has voted to advance the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) out of committee, paving the way for a Senate floor vote.
- The bill requires social media companies to provide ways for children and teens to opt out of addictive features like algorithmic recommendations.
- The Senate's version includes a 'duty of care' provision to mitigate harm from content promoting sexual exploitation and eating disorders.
- The House version, passed in June, does not include this provision.
- KOSA has been backed by companies like OpenAI, Apple, Microsoft, and Snap.
The US Senate Commerce Committee has taken a significant step towards passing the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a bill aimed at protecting children online. The committee voted to advance the bill out of committee, opening the door for a Senate floor vote.
The bill, which has been in development for several years, seeks to require social media companies and other online platforms to build in stronger protections for children. The Senate's current version of the bill includes a provision that requires social media apps to provide ways for children and teens to opt out of addictive features like algorithmic recommendations.
The bill also includes a 'duty of care' provision, which states that online platforms have a responsibility to mitigate harm from content that promotes things like sexual exploitation and eating disorders. This provision is not included in the House version of the bill, which was passed in June as part of the larger Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act.
KOSA has been backed by several major tech companies, including OpenAI, Apple, Microsoft, and Snap. However, the bill has faced opposition in previous years, including in 2024 when the Senate passed a version of the bill that was later abandoned.
The House and Senate versions of the bill still have key differences, and it remains to be seen whether a final version can be agreed upon. However, the advancement of the bill out of committee is a significant step forward for those pushing for stronger online protections for children.
Sources
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