Kids Online Safety Act passes Senate despite concerns it will harm kids

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) passed the Senate with a 91-3 vote, despite concerns from critics about potential negative impacts on children's online experiences and free speech. The act aims to regulate data collection from minors and address platform features that could harm children's mental health. Opponents, including Senators Ron Wyden, Rand Paul, and Mike Lee, argue that KOSA could lead to excessive content regulation and censorship, as platforms may avoid hosting certain content to mitigate liability risks. Rand Paul highlighted the subjective nature of what constitutes harmful content and criticized the lack of a clear definition for "mental health disorder" within the bill. Supporters, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, assert that KOSA is designed to make social media safer for young users. The act, along with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) 2.0, represents significant restrictions on tech platforms. However, there is skepticism about KOSA's future in the House of Representatives, where substantial opposition exists. Concerns have been raised that the bill could empower the Federal Trade Commission to regulate online speech, which some view as a threat to constitutional rights. The political divide in the House may hinder KOSA's passage, as both far-left and far-right factions agree on limiting the FTC's authority over online content.