A new bill aiming to ban social media for kids under 13 is making its way through Congress. The Senate Commerce Committee just approved the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA), setting it up for a full Senate vote. The bipartisan bill, backed by Texas Republican Ted Cruz and Hawaii Democrat Brian Schatz, also requires schools receiving federal funding to block social media access on their networks and devices.
“When Ted Cruz and I agree on something, you know it spans the whole political spectrum,” Sen. Schatz told POLITICO.
Again, Why This Matters
The bill is part of a larger effort to tackle youth mental health concerns linked to social media use. Studies have shown rising anxiety and depression rates among young users, but the effectiveness of social media bans is still debated. A recent Lancet study found that students in schools with stricter phone and social media rules didn’t necessarily have better mental health than those in schools with more relaxed policies.
Big Tech Fights Back
Not surprisingly, the tech industry is pushing back hard. NetChoice, a trade group representing companies like Meta and Google, argues that the bill could violate digital privacy and free speech rights.
“KOSMA comes from good intentions, but its restrictions on access to information could harm digital privacy and free speech,” said Amy Bos, NetChoice’s director of state and federal affairs.
NetChoice has been actively challenging social media regulations, filing lawsuits against multiple state laws meant to curb the negative effects of social media on teens. This week, the group sued Maryland over a law limiting the data social media companies can collect on kids.
What’s Next? - Ban Social Media for Kids
The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to take up more online safety legislation soon. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) plan to reintroduce the Kids Online Safety Act, which the Senate overwhelmingly passed last session. Meanwhile more states including Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Vermont are considering their own social media laws, targeting youth safety.
With growing concerns over kids’ online safety and increasing legal battles between lawmakers and Big Tech, this debate isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Cheers,
The Socialode Team
