GOP Senator Holds Firm on Stricter Rules for Youth Online Safety

The lead GOP senator of a bipartisan measure aimed at strengthening online safety for children is doubling down on her effort after House Republicans advanced a different version of the bill, complicating its odds for passage.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), co-sponsor of the Kids Online Safety Act (S.1748) or KOSA, said any congressional package on youth internet protections must impose a legal obligation on tech companies to prevent harm to minors, otherwise known as a duty of care. Her bill includes that provision, whereas the House version that advanced through committee earlier this month doesn’t.

“Any kids’ online ...