Media: In The News

The Daily Wire: ‘Kids Online Safety Act’ Bill Introduced To ‘Protect The Safety Of Children On The Internet’

February 17, 2022

The Daily Wire

A bill with bipartisan support will be introduced in the Senate on Wednesday that would require social media companies to add additional steps to protect children under the age of 16.

The Kids Online Safety Act, co-sponsored by Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, seeks to increase safety standards in the wake of child safety concerns.

The proposed bill requires social media platforms to provide a safe default environment and to help prevent potentially destructive impacts.

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“Protecting our kids and teens online is critically important, particularly since COVID increased our reliance on technology,” Blackburn said.

“In hearings over the last year, Senator Blumenthal and I have heard countless stories of physical and emotional damage affecting young users, and Big Tech’s unwillingness to change. The Kids Online Safety Act will address those harms by setting necessary safety guiderails for online platforms to follow that will require transparency and give parents more peace of mind,” she added.

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A Wall Street Journal report cited a 2020 study that found, “Thirty-two percent of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse.” The report also noted, “Comparisons on Instagram can change how young women view and describe themselves.”

The legislation has been endorsed by several child safety organizations, including Common Sense Media, the American Psychological Association, the 5Rights Foundation, American Compass, the Internet Accountability Project, American Principles Project, and the Digital Progress Institute.