A package of legislation aimed at enhancing child safety online has moved forward as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted to advance several key bills, including the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, Sammy’s Law, and the App Store Accountability Act. The committee’s session highlighted the deep partisan divide on the issue.
The KIDS Act, introduced by Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), seeks to establish various child safety measures without a key provision present in Senate discussions that would require tech companies to actively mitigate risks to minors. This version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) has faced criticism from Democrats, who argue that it undermines state efforts to strengthen protections for young internet users.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) voiced strong opposition, claiming that the KIDS Act serves as a façade for the interests of Big Tech, particularly in relation to user data privacy concerns. She referenced Discord’s recent attempt to enforce age verification and the backlash it received, especially after the platform suffered a data breach involving user IDs.
Further proposed regulations in the legislation include mandatory age verification for app downloads and when accessing adult content online. The KIDS Act also aims to regulate how companies can design their platforms to avoid compulsive usage among minors. A notable provision requires artificial intelligence chatbot developers to disclose to minors that they are interacting with AI, not a human.
The committee approved the App Store Accountability Act with a close vote, requiring app stores to implement age verification measures to prevent underage downloads of restricted content. Additionally, Sammy’s Law aims to grant parents greater control over their children’s interactions on social media platforms through third-party tools.
Despite these advancements, many lawmakers remain concerned that the legislation places the burden of child safety on parents rather than holding tech companies accountable. As debates on child safety and privacy continue, advocates urge Congress to prioritize comprehensive measures that address systemic issues impacting children online, such as risky platform designs rather than solely focusing on content regulations.
