Senators Announce Bipartisan Bill To Protect Children Online
Image credit: Getty Images [via Daily Caller]
The Facts
- Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have developed a bill aimed at protecting children online.
- The Kids Online Safety Act aims at regulating tech companies' handling of issues like eating disorders, substance abuse and suicide.
- Platforms would have to enable the strongest protection settings by default for minors and provide parents and children with a dedicated channel to report any harms.
Sources Split
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The Spin
Narrative A
This is a victory for bipartisanship and for the protection of children online in an age of increased reliance on technology.
Narrative B
Any negative reporting on the bills is motivated by a desire to protect Big Tech and its laissez-faire attitude towards exploitation online.
Libertarian narrative
Despite their anti-exploitative intention, bills that regulate online content risk turning social media companies into branches of government and infringing on freedom of speech.
