Bipartisan Kids Online Safety Bill Would Give Government Agency Broader Powers

WASHINGTON—Lawmakers have introduced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) legislative measure in both chambers of Congress to address online predation of children by social media platforms. The legislation would allow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to oversee and “bring an enforcement action” against apps and other platforms that allegedly target children.

In the U.S. Senate, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D) and Marsha Blackburn (R) have sponsored the bill, while in the House of Representatives, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R) introduced his respective bill.

But just as there is bipartisan support the the KOSA bill, there is also growing skepticism and doubt about giving the FTC more powers .

Shortly after votes on Tuesday afternoon, Texas Politics spoke to Texas Rep. Chip Roy (R) for his thoughts on the KOSA bill.

Rep. Roy said he needed to “look more carefully” at the bill, but added, “I am sympathetic on how to protect our kids with technology, internet, and so forth, but  I don’t like expanding government powers.”

During a House Republican conference meeting to address the voting down of the FISA reauthorization rule, The Floridian spoke to Rep. Bilirakis, where the Florida congressman asserted that his bill was explicitly written for “protecting children.”

When asked about the FTC being “emboldened” by his bill, Rep. Bilirakis said that while the FTC would be granted “enforceable power,” Congress would have “oversight” over the government agency.

Bilirakis also said that he and bill sponsors were “open to changes” to his bill to “protect our children.”