In House Committee·Last action 139 days ago

Big online platforms would have to add stronger protections for minors

Officially: Kids Online Safety Act

Large online platforms would have to turn on stronger safety and privacy settings for known minors. Parents and minors would get more control tools, and platforms would face audits, ad limits, and enforcement if they break the rules.

Where it stands

Sitting in Commerce

No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.

What this bill actually does

The bill covers certain large public online platforms. They must have user accounts, user posts, engagement features, and data-based ads or recommendations.
Platforms would have to set and enforce reasonable rules to address listed harms to minors. Those harms include physical threats, sexual exploitation, some illegal or age-limited products, and deceptive money scams.
Known minors would get the strongest privacy and safety settings by default. Known children under 13 would also get parental tools turned on by default.

↓ Why your message matters here

This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.

The debate

What people are saying about this bill

✓Arguments in support

Empowers Parents: Supporters believe the bill gives parents stronger tools to monitor and control their children's online activities.
Addresses Online Harms: It acts as a safety net against various online risks, complementing other bills that target specific issues like AI misuse.
Moral Imperative: Advocates argue that protecting children online is a moral duty, especially with the increasing digital threats they face.

✕Arguments against

Regulation Scope: Critics may worry about the broad scope of regulation and its impact on free speech.
Tech Industry Burden: There are concerns about the financial and operational burdens on tech companies to comply with new regulations.
Potential Overreach: Some fear that the bill could lead to over-censorship or unintended consequences in content moderation.

Where this bill is in the process

Legislative timeline

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Introduced

Introduced in House

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House Committee

Under House committee consideration

Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. (12/5/2025)

DEC 5

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House Floor Vote

Voted on by House

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Passed House

Approved by House

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Senate Review

Sent to Senate for consideration

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Passed Both Chambers

Approved by both House and Senate

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Signed into Law

Signed by the President

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Big online platforms would have to add stronger protections for minors

What people are saying about this bill

Legislative timeline

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