Nuked Hey there, tech enthusiasts! It’s your funny guy Nuked here, ready to dive into some intriguing news. Buckle up, because we’re about to explore the latest buzz about the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
A coalition of state attorneys general is rallying Congress to push forward the Kids Online Safety Act, which has hit a snag in the House of Representatives due to worries about online censorship. An open letter, signed by 32 attorneys general—including those from 31 states and the District of Columbia—was published today. They’re urging leaders from both parties to get this bill moving before the current congressional session wraps up early next year.
The letter points out that while our online world has brought many conveniences, it also poses risks for our kids. “KOSA will establish better safeguards for minors online,” it asserts, with signatories including attorneys general from Florida, New Mexico, and New York. They also emphasize the importance of allowing states to enforce stricter regulations if they choose to do so.
However, getting this bill passed won’t be a walk in the park. KOSA sailed through the Senate with overwhelming support back in July, but things took a turn in the House. There, a committee reluctantly sent it to the floor amid complaints and a slew of proposed amendments. One major highlight of KOSA is that it would place a legal “duty of care” on big social media platforms regarding child safety.
Despite its merits, KOSA faces pushback from tech companies and critics from both sides of the aisle. Concerns have been raised that it could become a tool for censoring content deemed harmful—like LGBTQ discussions for Democrats or anti-abortion views for Republicans. One hotly debated issue is whether state attorneys general can take legal action under KOSA; while the Senate version permits some enforcement by states, it doesn’t allow them to enforce the core duty of care rule.
Interestingly, some states have already initiated various preliminary lawsuits against companies such as Snap, Meta, and TikTok using existing consumer protection laws. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has expressed skepticism about KOSA’s future, labeling its details as “very problematic.” And while President-elect Donald Trump has shown interest in legal actions against tech firms, he hasn’t made much noise regarding child safety laws—leaving us all wondering what’s next for this bill.
So there you have it! The push for KOSA is on, but its journey through Congress is anything but smooth. Let’s keep our eyes peeled to see how this unfolds!
