Kids Online Safety Act
Latest action (18 Sep 2024): Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
What this bill does
Here is a summary of H.R. 7891, the Kids Online Safety Act:
The bill would impose new obligations on online platforms, video games, messaging apps, and streaming services that are used, or likely to be used, by minors under 17. It requires "high impact online companies" (very large platforms based on revenue or user counts) to exercise reasonable care in designing product features to prevent harms to minors, including certain mental health disorders, compulsive use, bullying, sexual exploitation, and marketing of drugs, tobacco, gambling, or alcohol. Covered platforms would have to offer minors and parents accessible safeguards—such as limits on who can contact a minor, controls over recommendation systems, screen-time limits, and parental oversight tools—along with a system for reporting harms and responding within set timeframes. Platforms would also need to disclose their safety policies and, for children under 13, obtain verifiable parental consent. A separate title addresses "filter bubble" transparency by letting users see content not shaped by personalization algorithms, and another title addresses how the law relates to state laws.
The bill primarily affects large technology and gaming companies, their users who are minors, and parents, while exempting schools, libraries, nonprofits, email, and certain other services.
The bill was introduced in April 2024, referred to the Energy and Commerce and Education and the Workforce Committees, and ordered reported (with amendments) by voice vote in September 2024. It did not receive a final vote before the end of the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill was introduced on September 18, 2024, in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
Timeline
18 Sep 2024
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 7891 do?
- Here is a summary of H.R. 7891, the Kids Online Safety Act: The bill would impose new obligations on online platforms, video games, messaging apps, and streaming services that are used, or likely to be used, by minors under 17. It requires "high impact online companies" (very large platforms based on revenue or user counts) to exercise reasonable care in designing product features to prevent harms to minors, including certain mental health disorders, compulsive use, bullying, sexual exploitation, and marketing of drugs, tobacco, gambling, or alcohol. Covered platforms would have to offer minors and parents accessible safeguards—such as limits on who can contact a minor, controls over recommendation systems, screen-time limits, and parental oversight tools—along with a system for reporting harms and responding within set timeframes. Platforms would also need to disclose their safety policies and, for children under 13, obtain verifiable parental consent. A separate title addresses "filter bubble" transparency by letting users see content not shaped by personalization algorithms, and another title addresses how the law relates to state laws. The bill primarily affects large technology and gaming companies, their users who are minors, and parents, while exempting schools, libraries, nonprofits, email, and certain other services. The bill was introduced in April 2024, referred to the Energy and Commerce and Education and the Workforce Committees, and ordered reported (with amendments) by voice vote in September 2024. It did not receive a final vote before the end of the 118th Congress.
- Has H.R. 7891 become law?
- Not yet. As of 18 Sep 2024, H.R. 7891 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored H.R. 7891?
- H.R. 7891 was sponsored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis [R-FL12] (Republican-FL), with 64 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 7891?
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. (18 Sep 2024).
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