KIDS Act
Latest action (30 Sep 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
The KIDS Act (S. 2918) would direct the Federal Trade Commission to regulate features of online platforms aimed at or used by children under 16. It would prohibit certain design elements—such as autoplay, notifications urging re-engagement, visible “like” counts, badges rewarding heavy use, and features encouraging spending—on child-directed platforms or for users the operator knows or should know are minors. It would also bar algorithms that amplify harmful or non-educational content to children, restrict certain advertising practices (such as influencer marketing, host-selling, and alcohol or tobacco ads aimed at kids), and require platforms to distinguish commercial from noncommercial content. The bill directs the FTC to study related harms, create a content-labeling system to help parents identify educational material, and audit the largest child-directed platforms annually for compliance. It also authorizes Commerce Department grants (roughly $4–12 million per year, FY2022–2025) to support creation of ad-free, educational children's content.
The bill mainly affects companies operating websites, apps, or online services directed to or used by children, requiring them to change design, advertising, and data practices. It would be enforced by the FTC under existing consumer-protection authority, with state attorneys general also permitted to bring civil actions on behalf of residents. State consumer-protection laws offering greater safeguards would not be preempted.
Introduced by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) with Senator Blumenthal on September 30, 2021, the bill was referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. It did not receive a vote and did not become law during the 117th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Kids Internet Design and Safety Act or the KIDS Act This bill prohibits operators of commercial online platforms that are directed to children from engaging in certain practices, including implementing features that encourage additional engagement with the platform, promoting certain types of content, and using certain advertising methods.
Common questions
- What does S. 2918 do?
- The KIDS Act (S. 2918) would direct the Federal Trade Commission to regulate features of online platforms aimed at or used by children under 16. It would prohibit certain design elements—such as autoplay, notifications urging re-engagement, visible “like” counts, badges rewarding heavy use, and features encouraging spending—on child-directed platforms or for users the operator knows or should know are minors. It would also bar algorithms that amplify harmful or non-educational content to children, restrict certain advertising practices (such as influencer marketing, host-selling, and alcohol or tobacco ads aimed at kids), and require platforms to distinguish commercial from noncommercial content. The bill directs the FTC to study related harms, create a content-labeling system to help parents identify educational material, and audit the largest child-directed platforms annually for compliance. It also authorizes Commerce Department grants (roughly $4–12 million per year, FY2022–2025) to support creation of ad-free, educational children's content. The bill mainly affects companies operating websites, apps, or online services directed to or used by children, requiring them to change design, advertising, and data practices. It would be enforced by the FTC under existing consumer-protection authority, with state attorneys general also permitted to bring civil actions on behalf of residents. State consumer-protection laws offering greater safeguards would not be preempted. Introduced by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) with Senator Blumenthal on September 30, 2021, the bill was referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. It did not receive a vote and did not become law during the 117th Congress.
- Has S. 2918 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Sep 2021, S. 2918 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 2918?
- S. 2918 was sponsored by Sen. Edward “Ed” Markey [D-MA] (Democrat-MA), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2918?
- Introduced (30 Sep 2021).
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