US Senate Passes Key Online Child Safety Reforms

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Jul 31, 2024

Above: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) arrives for a news conference on the Kids Online Safety Act at the U.S. Capitol on July 25, 2024. Image copyright: Kent Nishimura/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Imagesstory last updated Aug 01

The Facts

The US Senate Tuesday passed two online child safety bills in a 91-3 vote, banning advertising to minors and making social media firms more responsible for the safety of minors on their platforms.
The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) are reportedly the first such attempts to be passed in two decades.

The Spin

Narrative A

The impact of social media on children's mental health has for years underscored the urgent need for reforms to protect children online. A rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues linked to social media has been reported in recent years. KOSA offers much-needed safeguards, requiring platforms to enable strong privacy settings for minors, give parents more control, and hold platforms accountable for harmful content. It could create a safer digital environment for children, preventing tragedies from being repeated.

STAT

Narrative B

The child online safety reforms, though well-intentioned, may inadvertently harm children. To enforce these laws, tech companies must identify underage users, leading to increased online surveillance and privacy issues for everyone. Akin to government censorship, the vague legislation also runs the risk of being misused by ideologically driven attorneys general, who would be left to decide the parameters of harmful speech. These measures are in clear violation of the Constitution and must be reconsidered.