US prepares for radical regulation of social networks to protect children

The U.S. Congress is reconsidering the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a groundbreaking bill that could significantly reshape how social media and digital platforms operate. If passed, it would mandate tech companies to implement strict measures protecting minors from harmful content, algorithmic manipulation, and digital addiction.

Key Provisions of the Act:

• Platforms must enable parental controls by default, allowing limits on screen time and accessible content.

• Algorithms will be restricted from recommending content to minors.

• Harmful content involving depression, self-harm, eating disorders, or drug use must be minimized.

• Maximum privacy settings will be applied to child accounts.

• Platforms must assign a Chief Youth Safety Officer and stop using behavioral data to target children with ads.

Supported by over 60 senators and major tech firms like Apple, Microsoft, Snap, and X, the bill is expected to have high chances of passing in 2025. It aims to curb the unchecked commercialization of children’s attention and boost online safety standards.

Opposition and Concerns:
Despite bipartisan backing, groups like the ACLU, along with Google and Meta, have voiced concerns over potential censorship—especially of mental health and sex education content.

Background:
President Biden raised child online safety concerns in 2021, following revelations about Instagram's algorithms exposing teen girls to self-harm and body image issues. Similar issues in the past have led to major fines against companies like Google and TikTok for violating children's data privacy laws.

Broader Regulation Efforts:
Previous laws like COPPA (2000) and recent state-level regulations in Arkansas and Utah require age verification and restrict minors’ access to certain platforms or content, indicating a growing trend toward digital accountability for protecting young users.