In a groundbreaking move, the Senate is set to pass legislation aimed at protecting children from harmful online content. The bipartisan bill, supported by parents who have lost children to online bullying, would require tech companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm on platforms frequently used by minors. Alabama Senator Katie Britt, a mother of two school-aged children, has been a strong advocate for the bill which aims to address the mental health crisis facing children and teens linked to social media.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the bill’s primary authors, emphasize that it is about empowering children, teens, and parents to regain control of their online lives. If the bill becomes law, social media platforms would have to mitigate harm to children by providing options for privacy protection and limiting features that promote addictive behaviors. The bill also includes updates to child privacy laws and a ban on targeted advertising to teenagers.
The bill has strong bipartisan support in the Senate, with a test vote moving it forward on an 86-1 vote. With hopes of pushing the House to act, Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed willingness to consider the bill. While some critics have raised concerns about potential impacts on freedom of expression and access to certain information, the bill has been revised to address many of those concerns and has garnered support from major LGBTQ+ groups.
As the legislation advances, tech companies like Microsoft, X, and Snap have shown support for the bill, while Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has not taken a position. The bill’s sponsors have worked closely with parents who have tragically lost children to online harm, highlighting the urgent need for legislation to protect children in the digital age. The bill’s passage is seen as a crucial step in holding tech companies accountable for the well-being and safety of minors online.
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