United States of America

US House Strikes Bipartisan Deal on Kids Online Safety

Is this landmark win for child safety online or a Big Tech Trojan horse?

Published JUN 23

US House Strikes Bipartisan Deal on Kids Online Safety

story

Above: A mobile phone displays the logos of social media platforms on June 18. Image credit: Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The KIDS Act is a real step forward — bipartisan support in the House proves Congress can actually move on protecting kids online. The deal empowers parents, strengthens privacy for minors and increases transparency around data brokers, delivering meaningful accountability for Big Tech. Waiting for a perfect bill means more kids get hurt, and this legislation sets a federal floor while letting states go further.

U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee

Establishment-critical narrative

A kids safety bill without a duty of care is a gift to Big Tech, not protection for children. Meta lobbied hard to include immunity language that would shield platforms from state-level child-harm lawsuits — gutting the very accountability families are fighting for in court. Stripping that standard locks in the status quo that's already harming kids.

Guardian

Taylor Lorenz on Youtube