House passes kids online safety package despite watchdog pushback

The House passed a sprawling package of kids online safety bills Monday night, marking the first time a version of the landmark Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) made it out of the lower chamber.

The House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act in a 267-117 vote, with 47 members not voting.

The package, taken from portions of 14 digital safety bills, was brought to the floor Monday under a fast-track process called suspension of the rules, which requires two-thirds majority support for passage.

It now heads to the Senate, where it will face an uphill battle over the House’s changes made to KOSA and other provisions. The bill includes provisions on age verification, AI chatbots, data protections and raising awareness about drug sales on social media.

Its passage comes just one week after House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) announced the KIDS package received new support from ranking member Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), months after negotiations first fell apart between the two parties.

The bipartisan deal notably still eliminated KOSA’s duty of care provision, which would have legally required platforms to “exercise reasonable care” to prevent harms to minors. Harms........

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