US Senate passes first major online child safety bill in years

Washington:

The US Senate on Tuesday approved a sweeping social media safety package that would force technology companies to do more to protect children — the first major legislation targeting Silicon Valley in a generation.

Social media giants like Meta and X have faced a torrent of political anger for failing to put up guardrails to stop online dangers to children, including those from sexual predators and teen suicide.

A rare sign of cross-party unity in an increasingly rancorous election year, the Children’s Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) passed in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote with just three dissenters.

But the bills face an uncertain path in the House of Representatives, where Republican President Mike Johnson has spoken broadly in favor of the package but has not scheduled a vote.

“I’m proud to say today that the Senate is keeping its promise to every parent who has lost a child to the risks of social media… KOSA and COPPA will be perhaps the most important updates to federal laws protecting children on the Internet in decades , and it’s a very good first step,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The legislation was drafted in consultation with parents of teenagers who have been victims of bullying or sexual exploitation, but was opposed by some free speech groups concerned that it could lead to censorship.

‘Duty of care’

While there is widespread agreement in a politically divided Congress about reducing the negative impacts of social media, there has never been a united path on how to go about doing so.

House members are on summer break and will almost certainly focus on avoiding a looming government shutdown when they return in September.

But Schumer called on the lower house to pass the bills immediately upon his return, urging lawmakers to “seize the opportunity to send them to the president’s desk.”

The KOSA bill would establish a “duty of care” obligation on online platforms that would require the implementation of special provisions to protect minors from toxic content.

Backed by Microsoft, X and Snap, the company that owns Snapchat, the legislation would require companies to provide users with a dedicated page to report harmful content – ​​including sexual exploitation, online bullying, suicide promotion and eating disorders.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued a public apology to victims’ families at the Senate Judiciary Committee in January, as hostile lawmakers grilled tech CEOs about the dangers children face on social media.

“I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through,” he said. “No one should have to go through the things their families have suffered.”

Censorship fears

Seven LGBTQ advocacy groups withdrew their initial opposition based on updates to the bill that they said eased concerns that teens would have limited access to information about gender identity, sexuality and reproductive health.

But free speech groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have argued that the definition of harm is too broad and could lead to censorship.

COPPA would strengthen privacy standards for Americans under the age of 17 and ban advertising targeted at children and teens – requiring companies to allow users to delete personal information.

“Many children experience the relentless promotion of material about suicide or substance abuse. Too many children have their personal data collected and then used in nefarious ways,” Schumer said.

“With studies showing that children today spend more time on social media than ever before, now is the time to pass KOSA, COPPA and install guardrails that protect children from these risks.”

But Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden posted on trans and reproductive.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)