AGS PUSH FOR KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT AS CRITICS WARN OF CENSORSHIP AND PRIVACY RISKS
A bipartisan coalition of 45 state attorneys general, led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, is urging Congress to pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The legislative push comes as lawmakers and child advocates debate how best to shield minors from digital harms without compromising free speech or personal privacy.
The Push for Federal Standards
Proponents argue that while recent enforcement actions—such as a recent $17 billion multistate settlement with Meta requiring daily time limits and parental controls—are significant steps, they fail to provide consistent protections across the entire technology industry.
Alongside attorneys general from Hawaii, Connecticut, and Ohio, Skrmetti is championing Senate Bill 1748, sponsored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal. The bill aims to establish nationwide minimum safety standards for social media and gaming platforms through a “Duty of Care” provision. Supporters emphasize that federal legislation would adapt as technologies evolve while preserving states’ authority to enforce additional local protections.
Mounting Opposition and Concerns
Conversely, more than 60 civil rights, LGBTQ+, privacy, and free expression organizations—including the ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and FIRE, alongside lawmakers like Senator Rand Paul—strongly oppose the bill.
Critics raise several key objections:
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First Amendment and Censorship Risks: Opponents argue that vague “duty of care” language will pressure platforms to preemptively censor lawful speech to avoid legal liability, potentially resulting in viewpoint discrimination regarding sensitive topics like politics or reproductive healthcare.
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Impact on Marginalized Youth: Civil rights groups warn the legislation risks being weaponized to restrict or erase online resources and community spaces vital to LGBTQ+ youth, particularly concerning discussions around gender identity and sexual orientation.
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Erosion of Privacy: Mandatory age-verification requirements—such as ID uploads or facial analysis—threaten user anonymity and create vulnerable troves of personal data susceptible to leaks and government surveillance.
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Adult Overreach: Critics note that intrusive verification systems frequently sweep in adult users, restricting access to features or flagging accounts indiscriminately.
As the debate continues in Washington, lawmakers face the challenge of balancing child safety protections with the preservation of digital privacy and free expression.
