By Jared Whitley
The Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1748), sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., aims to require online platforms to implement safeguards for users under 17, addressing issues like bullying and self-harm. Proponents argue the bill is a necessary step to protect minors from digital harms since 1998. With 40 bipartisan cosponsors, the legislation has broad support. However, critics warn it risks enabling government overreach.
Last year, a similar bill passed the Senate with minimal opposition, but three senators—Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore.—voted against it, citing concerns about censorship. They argued the law could target privacy tools like encryption, which protect children from predators, and empower the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to dictate what content is “harmful.”
Opponents draw parallels to the UK’s Online Safety Act, which critics claim has been used to suppress discussions about serious issues, including sexual abuse. The law has also restricted access to platforms like Spotify and Wikipedia, raising fears of similar consequences in the U.S.
While the bill seeks to address tech companies’ role in addicting young users, skeptics warn it could stifle free speech and innovation. The article underscores the tension between protecting children online and preserving digital freedoms, urging caution against legislative measures that prioritize control over openness.
Jared Whitley is a longtime politico who has worked in the U.S. Senate, White House, and defense industry. He has an MBA from Hult business school in Dubai. In 2024 he won the Top of the Rockies Best Columnist award. Read Jared Whitley’s Reports — More Here.
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