The US is preparing a revolution on the Internet. It’s about children. The first such case in 26 years

The U.S. Senate has passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), two bills that are designed to protect children and teens online – . The bills passed by an overwhelming 91-3 vote. The first bill applies to children under 13, the second to those under 17. “This is the first significant U.S. child online protection law to pass either chamber of Congress since… 1998.” –

USA. The Children’s Online Protection Act Passed the Senate. But That Was the Easiest Stage

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schummer said the chamber is “keeping its promise to every parent who has lost a child to the risks of social media.” The politician called on the US House of Representatives to pass these bills as soon as possible – we read in The Verge.

“Passing KOSA through the Senate was the easiest stage. The contortions will only begin before the House of Representatives. Although the new law has strong political, expert and civic support (senators received 15,000 phone calls and letters of support), there are also loud voices of opposition,” notes Czubkowska.

We are at the threshold of a new era. This is the era of Big Tech accountability. We will no longer rely on Big Tech to say “trust us.” They have betrayed that trust.

– who promoted the KOSA Act.

Our children have waited too long for the protection and privacy they deserve, which this bill will provide. This is more important than ever, given the growing use of AI

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What changes do the US laws on protecting children on the Internet introduce?

The bills require digital platforms used by minors to make “reasonable” decisions in the design of their products. This means that social media will have to use algorithms or moderation in such a way as to protect children from online harassment, sexual exploitation, drug promotion and content that may cause eating disorders. Digital platforms will have to actively prevent such content from being searched for or in some way mitigate the effects of exposure to such materials – we read in The Verge.

In addition, as Sylwia Czubkowska notes, COPPA 2.0 will prohibit advertising targeted at children. Digital platforms will also be prohibited from collecting data without the consent of minors aged 13-16. In turn, KOSA “increases requirements regarding privacy standards, opting out of personalized algorithmic recommendations, parental control over children’s online activity, and risk audits.”

As the journalist explains, social media will have to default to the safest settings for accounts they deem to belong to minors, and will also be restricted from features such as video auto-play or reward systems that “increase or prolong usage” of social media.

The act does not prohibit minors from using social media. However, since platforms “know perfectly well that they are dealing with a child” based on the data they collect – writes Czubkowska – accounts identified in this way are to be treated in a manner appropriate to the user’s age, even if they have not provided their date of birth.