Over 200 Organizations Call for Senate Vote on Kids Online Safety Act, Urging Protection from Harmful Content

Over 200 organizations have written a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to prioritize a vote on the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) when Congress reconvenes in January. The bipartisan bill, originally introduced in February 2022 and reintroduced in May, aims to hold apps and online platforms accountable for recommending harmful content to minors. The bill could impact popular social media sites like Facebook and messaging apps like Discord. If platforms fail to adequately protect children from certain types of content, the bill would allow for lawsuits against them.

President Joe Biden expressed support for several online child safety bills, including KOSA, in July. The letter to Schumer expressed disappointment that the bill was not passed during the current legislative session, which is coming to an end. It highlighted the broad public support for addressing the harmful effects of social media on children and the bill’s unanimous approval in the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

Supporters of the bill include the Tech Oversight Project, the National Education Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Foundation on Suicide Prevention, and the American Psychological Association. They argue that online platforms should have a responsibility to create safe products that do not promote harmful content to children.

However, the bill has faced criticism. Opponents argue that determining what content is harmful or helpful is subjective and could be open to abuse by partisan government officials. Some also raise concerns about potential violations of the First Amendment and the impact on marginalized communities. Groups like Fight for the Future, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation oppose KOSA and suggest alternative measures to achieve similar goals without compromising free expression.

Despite the controversy, supporters of the bill maintain that it focuses on addressing the design behind content recommendation algorithms rather than censoring specific types of content. They emphasize that the bill includes exemptions to ensure access to certain information and support, such as nonprofit groups providing resources for LGBTQ+ youth.

As Congress prepares to reconvene in January, the fate of the Kids Online Safety Act remains uncertain. The debate over online child safety and the role of social media platforms in protecting young users continues to be a pressing issue.