Full Breakdown
Bipartisan Deal Advances Kids Online Safety Act
6/22/2026, 11:36:28 PM
Bipartisan Agreement on the KIDS Act
On Monday, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and ranking member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) announced a bipartisan agreement on the KIDS Act (H.R. 7757). The package, a bundle of dozen bills, combines the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a data-broker transparency measure, and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act. Democratic support for a previously Republican-only proposal clears a hurdle toward House consideration.
Background: Youth Risks on Social Media
Lawmakers have cited evidence that platforms such as TikTok, Snap and Meta’s Instagram can harm children’s mental health. Earlier attempts to pass safeguards stalled amid partisan disagreement, leaving a policy vacuum the new deal seeks to fill.
Lawmakers and Companies
- Brett Guthrie, Chair, Energy and Commerce Committee (R-KY)
- Frank Pallone, Ranking Member, Energy and Commerce Committee (D-NJ)
- TikTok, Snap, Instagram (Meta Platforms) – social-media firms at the center of the safety debate
- Data-broker industry – targeted by Pallone-sponsored transparency provision
Main Provisions
The revised text amends KOSA to require social-media companies to adopt policies that prevent harm to young users, while Pallone’s addition obliges data brokers to disclose and limit minors’ data collection. The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act strengthens privacy settings for teens and gives parents greater control over visibility.
Significance for Children
Proponents say the package empowers parents, makes safety a default, strengthens minors’ privacy, increases data-broker transparency, and holds tech firms accountable, delivering 21st-century protections parents have demanded.
Official Statements
Guthrie said he is hopeful the consensus legislation will soon be considered by the full House. Guthrie and Pallone stressed the KIDS Act delivers 21st-century protections parents have demanded and kids deserve.
Opposition
Democrats previously criticized the Republican-only version as insufficient, arguing it did not go far enough to safeguard younger users. The “ripping into” of provisions highlights lingering concerns about the adequacy of the final safeguards.
Gaps
The source does not disclose the language of the policy requirements, the timetable for a House vote, or the scope of enforcement mechanisms, leaving unanswered questions about implementation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am hopeful that this consensus legislation can soon be considered by the full House,” — Brett Guthrie, Chair, Energy and Commerce Committee
- “Through empowering parents, establishing safety as a default, strengthening privacy for children and teens, increasing transparency around data brokers, and holding Big Tech accountable, the KIDS Act delivers the 21st century protections parents have demanded and our kids deserve,” — Brett Guthrie and Frank Pallone, Joint Statement
Next Steps
The bipartisan package is expected to be considered by the full House in the near term, according to the lawmakers' statements.
