The Children's Online Safety Act, a bill to protect children on social media that failed to pass at the end of 2024, is back
The
Blackburn, Blumenthal, Thune, and Schumer Introduce the Kids Online Safety Act -...
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/5/technology/blackburn-blumenthal-thune-and-schumer-introduce-the-kids-online-safety-act
Why The Fuck Are Democrats Helping Build MAGA's Censorship Machine With KOSA? | Techdirt
https://www.techdirt.com/2025/05/14/why-the-fuck-are-democrats-helping-build-magas-censorship-machine-with-kosa/
The Kids Online Safety Act is back | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/news/666729/kids-online-safety-act-reintroduced
KOSA is a bill introduced in Congress in February 2022 by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, which seeks to require social media platforms to 'restrict access to social media for young people under the age of 16, manage the content displayed on the platform, protect privacy on the platform, and strengthen parental oversight.'
KOSA requires online platforms to take steps to reduce harm to children who use their services, including depression and eating disorders, and requires accounts to have certain privacy settings built in by default.
Parents who have lost children to social media-inspired drug overdoses and suicides due to relentless bullying have supported the creation of KOSA, believing it will help other children who suffer the same kind of harm.
However, like other child safety laws introduced in the US, KOSA has come under constant criticism from civil rights groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union , who argue that it will stifle freedom of expression and infringe on users' privacy.
Many human rights groups express opposition to the 'Child Online Safety Act' to protect minors from the dangers of the Internet - GIGAZINE
Others have warned that KOSA could be used by politically motivated enforcement agencies to target vulnerable groups, including transgender children.
There are also concerns that tech platforms could be subject to legal action under KOSA's liability regime by removing a range of resources that could be useful to children.
KOSA will be passed by the U.S. Senate in July 2024 with a 91-3 majority, but the House of Representatives failed to get a vote in favor and was scrapped. House Speaker Mike Johnson said, 'I like KOSA, but I feel there are very problematic details,' and 'I will work with the Trump Administration to get the bill passed.'
The US Senate passed a bill requiring companies to take measures to protect children online - GIGAZINE
KOSA has been amended several times, and several groups that originally opposed KOSA have since withdrawn their opposition. For example, the original provision that gave state attorneys general the power to enforce KOSA is no longer included in the amendments.
Then, in May 2025, it was revealed that Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn, the authors of KOSA, had reintroduced the bill to Congress. The reintroduced bill is the same as the one approved by the Senate in July 2024, but with some changes to make it even clearer that KOSA will not censor, restrict, or remove any content on the Internet. In addition, KOSA does not allow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or states to sue over content or speech.
Apple is currently engaged in a legal battle with Meta over whether apps or app stores should be responsible for keeping kids safe online. Meanwhile, Timothy Powderly, Apple's senior director of government relations for the Americas, said, 'Apple is pleased to announce its support for KOSA. Everyone needs to play a role in keeping kids safe online. We believe this bill will have a significant impact on kids' online safety.'
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