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House Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), together with Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), Erin Houchin (R-IN), and Kim Schrier (D-WA) have introduced the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, also known as KOSA (H.R. 7891). This comprehensive legislation will provide kids and parents with the tools they need to better protect children against serious online threats to their health and emotional wellbeing. A companion to this legislation authored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has been marked up in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
“Teens are constantly connected through devices and their reality is a blend of virtual and real-world experiences, which are proven to exacerbate isolation and negative social interactions such as bullying," said Representative Gus Bilirakis. "We’ve seen far too many children succumb to tragedy after being exposed to harmful online content and behaviors. Through multiple Congressional hearings with whistle blower testimonies, it is clear that there is widespread, bipartisan consensus that Big Tech has failed to mitigate the risks, improve transparency, empower parents, and safeguard their youngest users. Our legislation will require them to do so."
“The online, digital world is not designed with children and teens in mind, and action is needed to counter the unscrupulous ways tech platforms addict children and steal their attention,” said Rep. Castor. “That’s why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) with Reps. Bilirakis, Houchin, and Schrier to provide young people and parents with the tools, safeguards, and transparency needed to keep children and teenagers safe and hold Big Tech companies accountable. KOSA will help keep kids safe by outlawing manipulative design practices, amplification of harmful content, and damaging design features that can lead to mental anguish, eating disorders, physical violence and suicide. It’s time the Congress steps up to keep our kids safe online.”
“As a pediatrician and a mother, the health and safety of our children will always be a top priority. Today, kids are constantly online and exposed to harmful content," said Rep. Schrier. "I'm proud to take action on this issue by introducing the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which will hold big tech companies accountable, improve online safety for children, and empower parents to protect their kids.”
The Kids Online Safety Act (H.R. 7891) would outline a set of harms to children under the age of 17 requiring Big Tech companies and large online video games to take reasonable measures to prevent and mitigate certain unlawful products for minors. The bill would also empower parents and inform policymakers about individual social media platforms’ efforts to implement meaningful steps to reduce risks to kids by requiring independent audits and supporting access to important data for experts and academic researchers. Along with numerous regulations put into place, a Kids Online Safety Council would be formed to provide advice on the implementation of this Act.
Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your representatives to co-sponsor and support the Kids Online Safety Act. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.