Something We Can All Agree On
Last month, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) moved past the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and towards a final vote. Despite a contentious debate, both sides were adamant that children are precious. There is a political and cultural cry rising to protect the next generation. Now is the time to build a healthy culture around social media through education and dialogue, rather than hastily pass legislation that doesn’t address the underlying issues, because the children of America deserve better.
In the weeks following the progress of KOSA in the House Committee, congressional leaders have come forward to affirm the goals of KOSA but criticize the execution. There is wisdom in evaluating a bill based on its likely outcomes, rather than its intentions. Everyone wants to keep kids safe online. But in addition to being very unlikely to meet that goal via the proposed government mandates, there’s added danger—not just failure—when the proposal also jeopardizes privacy, parental rights, and market competition in the process.
This month, Speaker Mike Johnson put words to the sentiment: “I love the principle, but the details of that are very problematic.” Similarly, Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed his apprehension about KOSA: “Just because a bill has a nice name, that’s great, but ultimately the policy is what matters.” If their statements are any indication, the future of KOSA appears to be deeply uncertain.
The debate over KOSA epitomizes the broader moment, wherein policymakers and the public alike are both increasingly concerned about youth safety and aware of the limits of government action. When neither apathy nor regulation are the solution to the problem, educated families and the natural evolution of the market to address consumer needs offer a powerful third option.
Over recent years, resources to guide families through their individual online journeys have emerged. From explainers about specific apps, to larger guiding principles for online behavior, to collections of monitoring tools, groups like the Competitive Enterprise Institute and Common Sense Media have risen to support families. Additionally, social media apps have responded to scrutiny by incorporating more mechanisms for parental oversight such as time limits, content filters, and connected accounts.
Moments of bipartisan agreement are rare. The joint concern for children and families can be channeled to support meaningful dialogue and continue encouraging free market solutions that make apps and the internet a safer place for kids.