WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate passed a groundbreaking bill Tuesday aimed at improving the safety of children online. The legislation marks the first significant effort in decades by Congress to hold tech companies more accountable for the potential harms associated with their platforms.
The bill, which passed by an overwhelming 91-3 vote, was prompted by advocacy for parents whose children have suffered from negative online experiences, including cases that led to suicide. It requires tech companies to implement effective measures to minimize risks on platforms frequently accessed by young people, prioritizing “diligent care” and defaulting to the safest settings possible.
While the House of Representatives has yet to vote on the measure, Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the ongoing efforts to reach consensus. Supporters of the bill are optimistic that strong support from the Senate will speed a House vote before the congressional session ends in January.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, a Democrat who co-sponsored the bill with Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, emphasized the legislation’s goal of giving children, teens, and their parents the power to take back control of their digital interactions. Blumenthal’s blunt message to major tech companies was clear: Relying on their discretion is no longer acceptable.
This legislative package, if enacted, could set a precedent for future regulations addressing online privacy, the rise of artificial intelligence, and other tech-focused issues. Despite bipartisan agreement on the need for regulation of the tech industry, reaching legislative consensus has been difficult. Previous legislative efforts have focused on specific companies, such as a proposal targeting TikTok’s U.S. operations, but this bill seeks broader reforms to the industry.
Under the proposed law, tech companies would be required to prevent a range of harms to children, including child abuse, violence, inducing suicide, exposure to traumatic content, substance abuse, sexual exploitation and the promotion of illegal products such as drugs and alcohol.
Social media platforms would have to streamline privacy protections, turn off addictive features, and delay personalized algorithmic recommendations. The bill also calls for restrictions on how other users can interact with minors and limits on features designed to prolong interaction with the platform, such as autoplay videos and in-platform incentives.
