Omidyar Network statement on US Senate passage of Kids Online Safety Act

Children sitting around devices

The bipartisan passage of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) by the US Senate in such a wide margin marks a significant step forward in protecting our children’s digital well-being. By requiring social media platforms to implement stronger safety measures and providing parents with more tools to monitor their children’s online activities, KOSA aims to create a safer digital environment for our youth.

This achievement would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of parents, FairPlay, Eating Disorders Coalition, Accountable Tech, Tech Oversight Project, American Psychological Association, Common Sense Media, IssueOne, Center for Digital Democracy, and the many other members of the PassKOSA.org coalition, whose advocacy and expertise have been instrumental in bringing this issue to the forefront of our national conversation. Brave parents and young people shared their harrowing stories about how online content, cyberbullying, and exploitation forever changed their lives, inspiring policymakers to action.

The importance of this bill cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts the mental health, privacy, and overall safety of millions of children across the nation. We now call upon the House of Representatives to swiftly take up and pass this vital bill, ensuring that comprehensive protections for our children become the law of the land.