Democratic Senators Urge House to Reject Kids Online Safety Bill

Democratic senators warned House lawmakers against advancing their chamber’s version of the Kids Online Safety Act, arguing it would face intense lobbying from tech companies in the Senate and risk unraveling years of bipartisan work. “If it is passed by the House it will come to the Senate,” the Connecticut senator told reporters at a Friday press briefing.

” The concept requires online companies to design social media platforms with an eye for children’s safety. “We’re not going to let bad legislation with a good title just get across and think somebody’s done something,” the Washington senator said.

The House version of the bill is included in the KIDS Act, a revised bipartisan package that the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced along party lines in March. It is scheduled to be considered on the House floor next week under suspension of the rules.

The chair said “negotiations are ongoing” earlier this week when asked whether he would be open to incorporating such changes put forward in the House. The chair’s package is expected to include the bill as well as legislation barring companies from using minors’ personal data for targeted advertising, banning kids under age 13 from social media, and providing greater oversight for how children interact with AI chatbots.

The Connecticut senator said Friday he is worried the chair and others may be tempted to “take the bait” and abandon the bill’s basic principles.