WASHINGTON – The Senate on Tuesday passed legislation aimed at protecting minors online as many lawmakers and parents criticize the effects of social media use on children.
The legislative package comprises a pair of crucial bills that require enhanced safeguards for children.
The Kids Online Safety Act requires platforms to provide safeguards for minors, including restricting access to minors’ personal data and providing parents with tools to supervise minors’ use of a platform, such as control of privacy and account settings. The bill would require limits on features that encourage children and teens to stay on the platform longer, including rewards for time spent and notifications. Platforms would also be required to provide minors with easily accessible options to delete their account or personal data, as well as options to limit the amount of time they spend on them.
The bill allows parents, minors, and schools to submit reports if there is harm to a minor, to which platforms would have to establish a response process. It would also prohibit advertisements shown to kids and teens that include narcotic drugs, tobacco products, gambling, or alcohol.
The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the Kids Online Safety Act, and state attorneys general could bring civil action if there are violations in their states.
The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act amends the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to strengthen protections relating to the online collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of children and teens, including allowing minors to delete their personal data.
The bill bans targeted advertising to minors based on their search history. It also prohibits platforms from collecting personal data from users under the age of 17 without their consent, an increase of 13 from the original legislation.
It’s unclear if the legislation will be enacted in the House, though House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled openness to the measure.
Information: CNN
