Online safety legislation focused on children and teens that has come under fire from key senators passed the House Monday, setting the stage for continued wrangling as Congress seeks to address concerns raised by parent and free speech groups.
The bipartisan legislation, which Energy and Commerce Committee leadership amended under a compromise last week, passed 267-117 under suspension of the rules.
The bill, known as the Kids Internet and Digital Safety or KIDS Act, would require online platforms to put in place “reasonable policies” to address certain harms to kids online, including threats of physical violence, sexual exploitation and the sale of drugs and alcohol.
The reasonableness standard has raised concerns from opponents who say it’s too weak. A competing bipartisan Senate bill, yet to be considered, would impose a tougher “duty of care” standard on social media platforms, though that provision itself has spurred First Amendment concerns.
The House bill would also require new parental controls, including for online gaming, direct and ephemeral messaging, and artificial intelligence chatbots.
