Statement: The Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757)
The following statement is issued on behalf of the undersigned members of ParentsSOS:
We are grateful for the work of Chair Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone on the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757), especially the portions related to the Kids Online Safety Act and Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act. This bipartisan package contains meaningful improvements that our members have advocated for, including provisions that protect states’ ability to issue stronger regulations and hold tech companies accountable for the presence of children and teens on their platforms.
The KIDS Act includes several important provisions that advance protections for children and teens online, particularly through Title II(A) and Title IV(A), by:
Providing parents and young users with default protections, including safeguards against features that drive compulsive use, geolocation sharing, and contact from unknown adults.
Banning targeted advertising to all minors.
Creating a federal floor that protects states’ ability to pass stronger laws.
Imposing a knowledge standard that prevents tech companies from pretending they do not know preteens are on their platforms.
As parents who have experienced the very worst as the result of Big Tech’s negligence, we still believe strongly that Congress must enact — and tech companies must face — a duty of care that requires them to design their platforms to prevent and mitigate harm.
This bipartisan KIDS Act agreement is an important step toward meaningfully protecting children and teens online, so that no family has to face what we have. We look forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in the House and the Senate to pass the strongest possible online protections, including a duty of care, for young people this year.
Sincerely,
Todd Minor, Parent of Matthew, Forever 12
Mia Minor, Parent of Matthew, Forever 12
Matt Molak, Parent of David, Forever 16
Maurine Molak, Parent of David, Forever 16
Brian Montgomery, Parent of Walker, Forever 16
Matt Riviere, Parent of Stephen and Andrew, Forever 19 & 21
Michelle Servi, Parent of Jack, Forever 16
Deb Schmill, Parent of Becca, Forever 18
Jeff Van Lith, Parent of Ethan, Forever 13
Cathy Van Lith, Parent of Ethan, Forever 13
Sharon Winkler, Parent of Alex, Forever 17
