The U.S. House of Representatives has passed new legislation to bolster online protections for children, setting up a potential clash with the Senate, which is pushing for tougher standards. The measure, called the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, was approved Monday by a bipartisan vote of 267–117, underscoring growing concern over the effects of social media and digital platforms on young users. The bill requires online platforms to introduce safeguards that let children limit addictive features and mandates stronger policies against sexual exploitation and other online abuse.
This marks the House’s latest effort to regulate child safety online amid mounting scrutiny of major tech companies. It follows the Senate’s 2024 passage of the Kids Online Safety Act by a wide margin of 91–3, which proposed a stricter “duty of care” for social media firms.
The differing approaches between the two chambers are expected to spark negotiations toward a unified framework. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is reportedly in talks with the White House to build support for a broader legislative package that could incorporate the Senate’s proposal.
Lawmakers in Washington have increasingly focused on online child protection as social media platforms continue to face criticism over content moderation, addictive design features and exposure of minors to harmful material.
Source: Abigail Teye
