The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a sweeping children’s online safety package, advancing new federal rules for platforms, games, chatbots, data brokers and children’s privacy while drawing warnings from digital rights and technology groups over free speech and privacy risks.
The House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act in a 267-117 vote, with support from both Democrats and Republicans. The kids online safety package cleared the House while drawing warnings from digital rights and tech groups, with free speech concerns surrounding the bill.
Congress.gov identifies the measure as H.R. 7757, the “Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act” or “KIDS Act,” introduced in the 119th Congress.
A Broad Online Safety Package
The KIDS Act is not limited to one platform or one type of online harm.
Congress.gov states that the bill is intended to protect children and teens online, empower parents and strengthen families.
Reuters reported that the legislation would require companies to offer tools for kids to limit addictive features and establish policies to protect children from harms including sexual exploitation.
Congress.gov also lists provisions on “Safeguards for minors, parental tools, and teen messaging controls,” reporting mechanisms, disclosure, advertising labels and advertising of illegal products to minors.
Chatbots, Gaming and Data Brokers Included
The House package reflects how online safety concerns have moved beyond traditional social media.
Congress.gov includes a title on “Artificial Intelligence Chatbots,” with sections on prohibited statements, required disclosure and required policies. The bill text also includes a title on “Social Gaming Platforms,” including safeguards requirements for online video game providers.
Children’s privacy is another major part of the bill. Congress.gov lists COPPA 2.0 provisions addressing the online collection, use, disclosure and deletion of personal information of children and teens. It includes “Data Broker Disclosures,” requiring covered data brokers to register and provide information such as their legal name, contact person and categories of personal data sold.
Senate Fight Expected
The House vote sets up a difficult next stage in the Senate. The House bill could clash with the Senate, where lawmakers support more stringent standards for youth online safety. The House bill is the chamber’s first attempt to regulate online child safety since the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act in a 91-3 vote in 2024.
One key difference is the Senate’s preferred legal standard. The Senate bill would impose a “duty of care” on social media companies when dealing with young users. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has been negotiating with the White House to build support for a broader package that would include the bill.
Digital Rights Groups Warn of Risk
Supporters say the bill responds to real concerns about online exploitation, addictive design and weak protections for minors. But critics warn that broad child-safety rules could pressure platforms to over-moderate content, verify more users’ ages or collect more identity data.
NBC News reported that the legislation drew warnings from digital rights and tech groups even as it received broad bipartisan support.
That concern is especially relevant because Congress.gov lists “Technology verification measures” under the bill’s section on shielding minors from obscenity, while also including rules of construction on age verification and encryption. For privacy advocates, the question is whether protecting minors online will require more identity checks for everyone.
The House vote shows that Congress is moving closer to federal online safety rules for minors. The harder test now is whether lawmakers can protect children without creating new risks for privacy, speech and access to information.
