Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has approved two significant pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing online safety for children. The passage of these bills marks a major step forward in the effort to protect minors on the internet.
The first piece of legislation, COPPA 2.0, is an updated and strengthened version of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. The second, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), received overwhelming bipartisan support and was passed on Wednesday.
KOSA seeks to bolster the safety of children on social media platforms by shielding them from harmful content. While the bill’s intentions have been widely praised, concerns have emerged among consumer advocates and parents about potential unintended consequences.
Despite these concerns, the bill passed with only three senators voting against it, underscoring the strong support it received. The legislation now heads to the House, which is currently on recess until September.
President Biden has voiced his support for KOSA and has called on Congress to pass it alongside a stronger Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. He has indicated his readiness to sign the legislation into law once it reaches his desk.
