Senate passes online bill

The U.S. Senate has passed two significant bipartisan bills aimed at enhancing protections for children online: the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), with a vote of 91-3. KOSA mandates social media platforms to implement stronger safeguards against harmful content and give minors control over their data, while COPPA 2.0 extends privacy protections to users aged 13 to 16, prohibiting data collection without consent. These measures respond to rising concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health, particularly in light of alarming statistics regarding suicide and bullying among teens. Although the bills have garnered support from key figures in the House, their future remains uncertain as lawmakers return from recess. Advocates argue that these laws are crucial for protecting children's safety, while critics express concerns over potential overreach and increased data collection. If passed by the House and signed into law, this legislation would represent a historic shift in online child safety measures.