Statement on Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bills to Protect Kids’ Safety Online
SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 2023— Today, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee has just advanced two critically important bipartisan bills that would strengthen online privacy protections for children and require social media companies to design their platforms to better protect kids: The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), and The Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, the nation's leading advocacy group for children and families, issued the following statement.
"Today's bipartisan committee vote is a big step forward for the mental health and overall well-being of kids and their families," said Steyer. "These two pieces of legislation are top priorities for Americans across the country, for Common Sense Media, and for so many other important organizations because they are making up for lost time. It has been a whopping 25 years since COPPA was originally enacted, and the law hasn't changed since, despite the incredible evolution of technology and the now-enormous role that it plays in our society."
"KOSA and COPPA 2.0 would finally hold social media platforms accountable for how they impact young users and contribute to a worsening youth mental health crisis. We applaud Senators Blumenthal, Blackburn, Markey, and Cassidy, Chairwoman Cantwell and Ranking Member Cruz, and the other members of the Commerce Committee, for prioritizing the kids' online safety and doing their part to bring tech policy into the 21st century. We look forward to seeing these bills on the Senate floor later this year so that all senators can join together to make the internet healthier and safer for America's children."
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About Common Sense
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Learn more at commonsense.org.
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