Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today voted in support of the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act to enhance protections for children using social media, empower parents, and hold platforms accountable. This legislation integrates significant components from the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), both of which Senator Britt cosponsored.

"Social media presents a very real danger for all Americans, especially children and teenagers," said Senator Britt. "It is past time Congress enact legislation to protect our families and equip parents with substantive tools to help their kids. Senators Blackburn, Blumenthal, Cassidy, and Markey should be applauded for their diligent leadership in getting this legislation through the Senate. There is still much to do, but the Senate’s passage of the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act is a significant step in the right direction. Moving forward, Senator Schumer should start prioritizing other commonsense bipartisan legislation like this rather than monopolizing Senate floor time with partisan nominees and electoral show votes."

The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act now proceeds to the House for consideration.

Since taking office, Senator Britt has focused on addressing various challenges posed by social media through bipartisan legislative efforts. She collaborated with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) to introduce the Kids Off Social Media Act. This act aims to prevent children under 13 from creating social media accounts—something social media companies claim they already enforce—prohibit algorithm use on users under 17, and require schools receiving federal funding to block social media on their WIFI networks.

Additionally, alongside Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Senator Britt introduced the Youth Mental Health Research Act. This act proposes establishing a national Youth Mental Health Research Initiative to guide long-term mental health care efforts and better target preventive interventions for those at risk of developing mental health challenges.

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