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Congress·In Committee

Congress Proposes Major New Rules to Protect Kids on Social Media, Video Games, and AI Chatbots

KIDS Act

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • Social media companies would be required to turn on the highest privacy settings by default for users under age 17. This includes limiting who can message them and stopping the apps from automatically recommending their profiles to strangers. Parents would also get new tools to track their child's screen time and manage who they talk to online.
  • Websites that primarily host adult content would have to use age-verification technology to block minors from entering. While the bill says companies cannot be forced to collect government IDs, they must use effective, commercially available methods to ensure users are adults before they can view harmful material.
  • The policy bans 'disappearing' or ephemeral messages for all minors and completely stops kids under 13 from using direct messaging features. Online video games would also have to include parental controls that let adults limit who their children can talk to and restrict in-game purchases.
  • Companies that make AI chatbots would have to clearly tell kids they are talking to a computer, not a person. These bots would be required to suggest that users take a break after three hours of continuous use and must provide links to suicide prevention hotlines if a child mentions self-harm or a crisis.
  • The Federal Trade Commission and state officials would have the power to fine companies that fail to follow these safety rules. Additionally, the government would launch new studies to understand how social media affects teen mental health and how drug dealers use online platforms to reach young people.
Technology DigitalCriminal JusticeEducationHealthcare

Impact Analysis

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

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 3, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

90-180 days after enactment

Safe messaging rules and market research restrictions take effect

Platforms must stop offering disappearing messages to minors, ban direct messaging for kids under 13, and stop conducting market research on young users. Parents of teens 13-16 get new controls over who can message their kids.

1 year after enactment

Most new safety rules and parental tools go live

Social media platforms, video game providers, and AI chatbot companies must have all required safety features, parental controls, default privacy settings, reporting tools, and advertising restrictions fully operational. Adult content sites must have age verification systems in place.

18 months after enactment

First independent audits of platforms are due

Every covered social media platform must complete an independent third-party audit showing how well it protects minors. Results go to the FTC and are made public, giving parents and lawmakers a clear picture of which platforms are actually following the rules.

Related News

3 articles
Privacy Daily·1 day ago

House Commerce to Mark Up KOSA in Kid Bill Package Thursday

The House Commerce Committee announced it will mark up a comprehensive package of nine bills, including the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757). The package consolidates several proposals to mandate default privacy settings for minors and restrict messaging features.

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The Daily Signal·1 day ago

Blackburn Takes Aim at Big Tech for Harming Teens' Mental Health

Sen. Marsha Blackburn renewed calls for the Kids Online Safety Act, which would require social media and gaming platforms to implement safeguards for users under 17. The bill empowers parents by giving them the final say in their child's privacy and account settings to combat addiction.

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TechPolicy.Press·1 day ago

Safe Messaging for Kids Act Gains Bipartisan Support in House Package

The Safe Messaging for Kids Act (H.R. 6257), part of a new legislative bundle, would ban ephemeral messaging for minors and disable direct messaging for children under 13. The bill aims to cut off digital tools used by predators while giving parents visibility into their children's contacts.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

KIDS Act

Bill NumberHR 7757
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

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.