Attorneys General Urge Passage of Kids Online Safety Act

A coalition of 32 state attorneys general, led by Illinois AG Kwame Raoul, is urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) by the end of the year to address the escalating youth mental health crisis linked to social media use. The letter highlights that minors now spend over five hours daily online, leading to concerns over addiction, depression, and anxiety. KOSA aims to enforce mandatory safety settings on social media platforms, allow parents to disable manipulative features, and provide tools for reporting harmful content. This legislative push comes amid ongoing lawsuits against companies like Meta and TikTok for targeting minors and failing to disclose the potential risks. Despite its Senate approval, KOSA faces challenges in the House due to concerns over potential censorship and overreach. The coalition emphasizes the urgency of implementing stronger safeguards to protect children online.