Right now, many technology companies are not doing enough to protect kids. Harmful content can spread quickly, and children are often exposed to things they should never see. Parents are working hard to keep their kids safe, but they should not have to do it alone. That is why lawmakers are working on the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act. This bill is designed to help protect children online, give parents better tools to keep their families safe, and hold technology companies responsible for the content on their platforms.1 The KIDS Act proposes the following:2
- Social media platforms are required to enable the strongest privacy settings for kids by default
- Provides parents with new controls to help protect their children and spot harmful behaviors
- Requires a dedicated channel to report harmful behavior
- Creates a duty for online platforms to prevent and mitigate specific dangers to minors, including promotion of suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, and advertisements for certain illegal products (e.g. tobacco and alcohol)
- Ensures parents and policymakers know whether online platforms are taking meaningful steps to address risks to kids by requiring independent audits and research into how these platforms impact the well-being of kids and teens
One important part of the bill focuses on adult websites. Today, many of these sites use simple age checks that are easy for children to get around. The KIDS Act would require stronger safety measures, similar to the rules that stores follow to keep age-restricted products away from children. The bill also addresses new dangers created by AI. AI can make fake pictures, videos, and conversations that look real. Even adults can have trouble telling what is true and what is fake online. It is even harder for children, who may trust what they see without realizing it is not real.1
Parents also play an important role in keeping kids safe. Studies show that many parents believe their children have never seen adult content online, but research suggests that many young people are exposed to it without their parents knowing. This shows how important it is for families to stay informed. Many families have shared heartbreaking stories about the harm caused by social media and AI. Some children have been bullied, tricked, or exposed to dangerous content. Others have been harmed by fake images created with AI. These stories remind us that online safety is not just a technology issue, it is about protecting real children and real families.1
Keeping kids safe online will take teamwork. Parents, schools, technology companies, and lawmakers all have a role to play. Together, we can create an internet that helps children learn and grow without putting their safety at risk. If you are interested in becoming an Advocate for the Innocent member and gaining access to our Resource Center ($10/month or $99/annually), visit https://advocatefortheinnocent.org/memberships/.
1 – https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns/protecting-our-kids-digital-world
2 – https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/about/issues/kids-online-safety-act
3 – Image by prostooleh on Freepik/Magnific