House Passes Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act in 267-117 Vote

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act on Monday in a 267-117 vote, with 47 members not voting. The measure was brought to the floor under suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority.

The legislation draws provisions from 14 digital safety bills. It sets age verification requirements for adult websites, establishes safeguards for minors using AI chatbots, limits private messaging for children under 13, and imposes new registration requirements on data brokers that sell minors' data.

It also requires platforms to allow children to limit addictive features and includes protections against harms such as sexual exploitation.

The bill omits the duty of care provision that appeared in the Senate's 2024 version of the Kids Online Safety Act. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie said the committee worked hard to reach a workable compromise and described the package as the most comprehensive children's online safety legislation Congress has considered.

He called it an important milestone, not a finish line.

Rep. Frank Pallone secured changes to preemption language that permit states to enact stronger laws, including those containing a duty of care standard. Rep. Kim Schrier said she supports the bill as a step forward but wants duty of care language added during Senate negotiations.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said the absence of the duty of care provision means social media companies will not be held accountable for driving addictive content through their algorithms. Parental groups split on the package.