S. 1748 · In committee · Science, Technology, Communications

Kids Online Safety Act

Sponsor: Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

What it does

• Require covered online platforms, social media, video games, messaging apps, and video streaming services to implement safeguards protecting users under age 17 from harms including mental health disorders and severe hara
• Prohibit covered platforms from conducting market or product research on children under 13, and require parental consent for research on users aged 13-16.
• Require platforms using algorithms to prioritize content based on user-specific data to provide notice, obtain explicit consent, and allow users to opt out of algorithmic ordering.
• Mandate that covered platforms provide data protections for minors, parental tools for privacy management, and mechanisms for reporting harm.

Official summary

Kids Online Safety Act This bill requires covered online platforms, including social media platforms, to implement tools and safeguards to protect users and visitors under the age of 17. Covered platforms are online platforms, video games, messaging applications, or video streaming services used or likely to be used by individuals under the age of 17, with specified exceptions. The bill generally requires covered platforms to exercise reasonable care in the design and use of features that increase minors’ online activity in order to prevent and mitigate harm to minors (e.g., mental health disorders and severe harassment). Covered platforms are also required to provide certain safeguards to minors, such as protections for minors’ data; tools for parents of minors, such as access to minors’ privacy settings; and a mechanism for account holders and visitors to report harm to minors on the platform. Covered platforms are prohibited from conducting market or product research on children under the age of 13, and may only conduct such research on those under the age of 17 with parental consent. The bill provides for enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission and states. The bill…

Latest action

Aug 5, 2026: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation