Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has reversed its stance on the Kids Online Safety Act, dropping its opposition to the bipartisan legislation that would force online platforms to protect minors from harmful content.
What KOSA actually does
The Kids Online Safety Act, commonly known as KOSA, imposes what lawmakers call a “duty of care” on online platforms. Companies like Meta would be legally obligated to build safeguards for users under 17, rather than simply promising to do better in blog posts and congressional testimony.
The bill previously passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Civil society organizations and state attorneys general have been among its most vocal advocates, arguing that voluntary self-regulation by tech companies has failed to meaningfully protect kids online.
KOSA has been in Congress since the 118th session, gathering momentum from parents, advocacy groups, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
