Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Children from Online Harm

Senate Passes Bill to Protect Children from Harmful Online Content

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a landmark move, the Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation on Tuesday aimed at protecting children from dangerous online content. The bill, which passed 91-3, is a response to the growing concerns of parents whose children have been harmed by online bullying or other harmful content.

The legislation would require tech companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm on online platforms frequently used by minors. This includes exercising a “duty of care” and ensuring that platforms default to the safest settings possible. The bill has bipartisan support and is seen as a major step towards holding tech companies more accountable for the harm they cause.

President Joe Biden has urged the House to pass the legislation without delay, emphasizing the need to protect children in the digital age. The bill is seen as a way for children, teens, and parents to regain control of their online lives.

If the bill becomes law, companies would be required to mitigate harm to children, including bullying, violence, suicide promotion, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, and advertisements for illegal products. Social media platforms would need to provide options for minors to protect their information, disable addictive features, and limit interactions with other users.

The bill has received support from tech companies like Microsoft, X, and Snap, but there are concerns about cybersecurity, censorship, and privacy risks. Critics argue that the bill could lead to censorship and threaten users’ privacy rights.

Despite some opposition, the bill has been revised to address concerns about LGBTQ+ issues and reproductive rights. The legislation also includes updates to child privacy laws, raising the age limit for collecting personal information from users to 17 and banning targeted advertising to teenagers.

The bill represents the first major effort by Congress in decades to regulate tech companies and protect children online. Supporters believe it is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of minors in the digital age.