Senator Defends KOSA Bill, Addresses Concerns

Senator Marsha Blackburn has stepped up her efforts to support the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) by releasing a memo that tackles some of the arguments against the bill. This comes at a time when the bill's future in the House is uncertain, despite it passing in the Senate with a vast majority. KOSA aims to regulate the features that tech and social media companies offer kids online, with the goal of reducing addiction and mental health issues. Blackburn's memo directly addresses concerns that KOSA would censor speech or violate the First Amendment. She clarifies that the bill doesn't give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or state attorneys general the power to control content or speech. Instead, it holds social media companies accountable for their own practices. Some Republicans had worried that the bill would give too much power to the FTC, but Blackburn denies this, stating that the bill focuses on holding platforms accountable for their design choices. The bill has been met with concerns from both parties in the House, particularly around its "duty of care" provision. This provision requires platforms to design features that protect minors from harm, such as content that promotes suicide or eating disorders.