hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Creates new online safety rules for minors on platforms, gaming, and AI chatbots.
Mr. Guthrie
Introduced in the House, referred to committees.
This comprehensive bill, known as the KIDS Act, aims to safeguard minors (under 17) on social media, online gaming, and AI chatbots. It proposes requiring platforms to implement age verification for harmful content and offer robust parental controls. The bill also seeks to limit certain features that might lead to compulsive use. Introduced by Mr. Guthrie, it is currently in the initial legislative stages.
Introduced Mar 3, 2026
This bill, H.R. 7757, has been introduced in the House of Representatives. It was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on the Judiciary, for further consideration. For it to become law, it must pass both the House and the Senate, and then be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, parents will gain more control over their children's online experiences through new default safety settings and tools on social media, messaging, and gaming platforms. Minors will encounter age verification on sites with harmful sexual content and receive clearer disclosures from AI chatbots, including crisis support information. Companies will also be restricted from conducting market research on minors for most purposes. Additionally, federal agencies will conduct various studies and create public awareness campaigns about online safety for children, including risks like fentanyl exposure.
Supporters Say
Advocates argue the bill is crucial for protecting children from online harms, empowering parents, and fostering a safer digital environment against mental health impacts and predatory behavior.
Critics Say
Concerns may include potential impacts on privacy due to age verification, limitations on freedom of speech, and the technical feasibility and cost for online platforms to implement these regulations.
Some proponents emphasize the urgent need to address the negative effects of social media and online interactions on children's mental health, citing increased exposure to inappropriate content and exploitative practices. They believe the bill provides necessary tools for parents to guide their children's digital lives. Opponents, however, might raise questions about how age verification data would be secured and used, the potential for over-censorship, and whether the extensive requirements could unduly burden tech companies, potentially limiting access to beneficial online resources for minors.