Microsoft, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) have now cast their support for the controversial kid censorship law amid government scrutiny on child safety on social media.
During the big trial hearing in Washington, DC., X CEO Linda Yaccarino immediately declared the social media's support for the proposed Kids Online Safety Act.
Yaccarino said that X will enable KOSA into its platform and "continue to offer a community for teens that are seeking that voice." KOSA has yet to be signed into law.
Microsoft president Brad Smith has also stated his support for KOSA, claiming that the legislation "provides a reasonable, impactful approach to address this issue."
Technology can be a powerful tool for learning, creativity, communication, and social good, but can equally pose significant challenges and risks for young users. We must protect youth safety and privacy online and ensure that technology – including emerging technologies such as…
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) January 30, 2024
Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, endorsed the bill a few days before testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On the other hand, CEOs of Meta, Discord, and TikTok have declined to support the bill.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew pointed out it will only support the bill after "some changes," while Discord executive Jason Citron said that his company would prefer to support the standard national privacy policies.
Watchdogs: KOSA Poses Great Risks to Online Speech
Despite undergoing several revisions, the KOSA bill continues to face scrutiny from watchdogs and critics for its potential to hamper free speech online.
In November 2022, over 90 organizations have signed a petition against the bill for the possibility to "censor online resources and information" about the LGBTQIA+ community and abortion rights.
The bill has been highly criticized for allowing the government and social media companies to increase surveillance and power to restrict information in the name of protecting children online.
If passed, the bill will compel social media companies to manage content for its underage users and even sue them if the general attorney deems that is violating its vague provisions.
Concerns that conservatives could use the bill to threaten platforms to remove pro-transgender posts and further antagonize queer communities online.
Ari Cohn, a First Amendment lawyer, claimed that the "one-size-fits-all approach" KOSA has would prove more harm to children and free speech than help.
The KOSA was authored by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn in Feb. 2022.
Related Article: Minors Banned on Social Media: A Paradox of Protection and Freedom
Wild West of Internet Remains a Threat to Children
While the approach KOSA has on protecting children online may be exaggerated, the issue of dangers posed on the internet.
Grooming, unsolicited messages from adults, and sexual harassment a prevalent problems for many minors on social media.
It is worth noting that the US already has a similar law passed in 1998, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, but has been rarely updated in response to the modern online climate.
The Federal Trade Commission is currently proposing changes to COPPA in hopes of preventing online predators reach children on social media.
