Skip to content
Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

House Committee Reviews Kids Online Safety Act, Targeting Social Media Dangers for Minors Under 17

Also known as: Kids Online Safety Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill requires social media apps and websites to protect users under age 17 from specific dangers, including physical violence, sexual abuse, and the promotion of drugs, tobacco, or gambling. Companies would have to create clear policies to stop these harms from reaching young users.
  • Platforms would be required to turn on the highest privacy and safety settings by default for minors. This includes limiting features like auto-playing videos and "infinite scrolling" that are designed to keep kids on the app for as long as possible.
  • Parents would get new tools to manage their children's accounts. For kids under 13, these tools would be turned on automatically, allowing parents to see how much time is spent on the app, block purchases, and control who can message their child.
  • Social media companies would have to provide a dedicated way for users to report online harms. They would be required to respond to these reports within 10 days, or even faster if there is an immediate threat to a child's safety.
  • To ensure companies are following the law, they must undergo independent audits every year. These audits will check how many minors use the platform and how well the company's safety tools are actually working.
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state officials would have the power to fine companies that fail to protect kids. If passed, most of these rules would start being enforced 18 months later.
Technology DigitalCivil RightsCriminal Justice

Milestones

4 milestones6 actions
Dec 11, 2025House

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 10.

Dec 11, 2025House

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Dec 5, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

Dec 5, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Dec 5, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

If enacted, most requirements would take effect 18 months after the bill becomes law

Social media platforms would need to have all safety tools, parental controls, reporting systems, and harm-prevention policies up and running by this deadline. This is the date when the law would start affecting how kids experience social media.

First annual independent audits of covered platforms would be due within one year of enactment

Every major social media platform would need to hire an independent auditor to review how well they're protecting minors, including data on how many young users they have and how their safety tools are being used. Results go to the FTC.

Related News

1 article
Fox News·5 months ago

Blackburn Discusses Urgent Need for Kids Online Safety Act

Senator Blackburn argues that KOSA provides a necessary 'toolbox' for parents to delink their children from addictive algorithms. She compares the lack of virtual safety rules to physical space protections, urging Congress to pass the bipartisan measure to combat online exploitation.

R+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Kids Online Safety Act

Bill NumberHR 6484
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.