In a significant move to regulate the tech industry, the Senate has passed two landmark bills aimed at protecting the online safety and privacy of children and teenagers. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, also known as COPPA 2.0, cleared the Senate with a vote of 91-3, paving the way for a potential overhaul of the way social media companies operate.
If enacted into law, these bills would represent the most substantial legislative effort to regulate the tech industry in years. KOSA, in particular, has been a subject of intense debate, with proponents arguing that it would provide much-needed safeguards for minors online. The bill would require social media companies to offer features that allow parents to monitor and control their children’s online activities, including the ability to disable algorithmic feeds and other features that can be addictive.
The bill also includes a provision that would hold social media companies accountable for preventing or mitigating the harm caused by their products. This “duty of care” provision has been a point of contention, with some advocacy groups arguing that it would infringe upon free speech rights. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed concerns that the bill would lead to censorship and the removal of anonymous browsing options.
In contrast, COPPA 2.0 has garnered less opposition from privacy advocates. The bill aims to update the 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act to reflect the modern internet landscape. If passed, it would prohibit companies from collecting personal data on teenagers between 13 and 16 without their consent and would require companies to offer an “eraser button” to delete children’s and teens’ personal information from their platforms.
The Senate’s vote highlights the growing bipartisan consensus on the need for online safety regulations. The issue has been the subject of numerous hearings, including a high-profile hearing earlier this year featuring the CEOs of major tech companies. During that hearing, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) accused the executives of having “blood on their hands” due to their companies’ safety lapses.
The bills now head to the House, where their fate remains uncertain. However, the Senate’s vote marks a significant step forward in the effort to regulate the tech industry and protect the online safety and privacy of children and teenagers.
