House Passes First Version of Kids Online Safety Act Package

On Monday, the House approved the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, a 14-bill package based on the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), by a 267-117 vote. The measure adds age verification for adult sites, AI-chatbot safeguards, new data-broker rules for children’s data, updates to COPPA, parental-monitoring tools, limits on social-media addiction, direct-messaging restrictions, and a requirement to curb drug-sales promotion.

The Hill

KOSA has been introduced four years. The Senate passed its version in 2024, but House Republicans blocked it over free-speech concerns. The current bill omits the “duty of care” clause that would have required platforms to “exercise reasonable care” to protect minors. Sponsors include House Energy & Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and ranking member Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ). Senate co-authors Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have advocated retaining the duty-of-care provision.

The Hill

If enacted, act would enforce age verification for adult-content sites, impose safeguards on AI chatbots that interact with minors, and broaden COPPA privacy protections. It also aims to reduce addictive social-media design and give parents new monitoring tools. Removing the duty-of-care clause may limit platforms’ legal liability for harmful content.

The Hill

Guthrie called the legislation a “significant and long-overdue step forward” and an “important milestone — not a finish line.” Blumenthal warned the House version is “dead in the Senate.” Cruz said he is open to negotiating revisions. Blackburn is reportedly discussing a broader deal with White House that could add the App Store Accountability Act and her NO FAKES Act.

The Hill

Tech watchdogs and parent-advocacy groups say dropping the duty-of-care provision removes the most effective mechanism for holding platforms accountable for harms such as eating disorders, suicide, substance abuse, and sexual exploitation. They argue the remaining measures, while useful, do not address legal responsibilities of online services.

The Hill

Blumenthal predicts the House bill will not survive the Senate, while Cruz says he is open to negotiations. The package does not specify enforcement mechanisms for age verification or penalties for non-compliance, leaving a gap in guidance.

The Hill

• “worked hard to reach a workable compromise.” — Brett Guthrie, Energy & Commerce Chair

The Hill

• “While no single bill will solve every challenge facing families online, this legislation represents a significant and long-overdue step forward in establishing meaningful safeguards,” — Brett Guthrie

The Hill

• “It is an important milestone — not a finish line — in the effort to better protect children online and hold bad actors accountable.” — Brett Guthrie

The Hill

• “dead in the Senate,” — Richard Blumenthal, Senate co-author

The Hill

The bill now moves to the Senate, where the White House and House negotiators will discuss revisions. Possible changes include reinstating the duty-of-care clause or adding the App Store Accountability Act and the NO FAKES Act. A Senate vote will decide whether the package becomes law.

The Hill