The Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at safeguarding children from dangerous online content, marking the first significant congressional effort in decades to hold tech companies accountable for the harms their platforms may cause. The bill, championed by parents of children who suffered from online bullying or other harm, would require companies to implement measures to prevent harm on platforms frequently used by minors.
The US Senate has passed a major social media safety package aimed at protecting children online, requiring tech companies to implement stricter safeguards against harmful content. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, but face an uncertain future in the House of Representatives. The legislation, which has been backed by tech giants like Microsoft, X, and Snap, aims to establish a ‘duty of care’ for online platforms, mandating the removal of harmful content such as sexual exploitation, bullying, and promotion of suicide and eating disorders. However, free speech groups have raised concerns about potential censorship, arguing that the definition of harm is too broad. COPPA aims to strengthen privacy standards for minors and outlaw targeted advertising towards children and teens.
President Joe Biden has signed a bill banning the popular Chinese-owned social media app TikTok, citing national security concerns. The bill passed the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support, but Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey expressed mixed views on the TikTok ban, balancing national security concerns with free speech worries. While Warren supports increased federal oversight of the entire tech industry, Markey cautioned against using national security as a justification for censorship. Despite the concerns, the bill has garnered support from some Massachusetts officials, including U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who believes that social media corporations should be accountable to U.S. law, particularly to protect the mental health of young people. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, on the other hand, expressed concerns about the First Amendment implications and the potential for anti-Asian sentiment.
