WASHINGTON—As the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) works its way through the U.S. Congress, it must address a vital question: How do we balance government authority and parental rights? Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) discussed the bill with The Floridian, saying, "I think that the legislation was necessary to save lives, and the parents have been working really hard. It may not be perfect, but we could always amend it."
Rep. Bilirakis introduced the House of Representatives version of the bill in April. At its core, the bill would allow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to bring enforcement actions against online apps and platforms that do not adequately protect minors from predators.
Other facets include platforms requiring parental controls to help manage a minor's platform use, including control safety setting options, screen time tracking, and purchase controls.
However, House Freedom Caucus members have expressed concerns about expanding the FTC's, and by extension, the government's, power, even if KOSA's intentions are noble.
"I am sympathetic on how to protect our kids with technology, internet, and so forth, but I don't like expanding government powers," said Representative Chip Roy (R-TX).
"I am concerned about that anytime the government is involved, we want to protect everybody, but they have a way of using that to determine and secure outcomes that were never intended," added Representative Scott Perry (R-PA).
Rep. Bilirakis reiterated his openness to revising the bill in his recent comments to The Floridian. He suggested that states' Attorney Generals could be given more authority within the bill and touched upon parental rights.
"The bottom line is, we need to pass legislation, okay? Powerful [emphasis his] legislation that will make a difference because these kids are dying, and these big cat companies are not doing a damn thing about it. So I think that the legislation was definitely necessary to save lives, and the parents have been working really hard. It may not be perfect, but we could always amend it next year, but I would like to get something done by the end of the year, and it is similar to what we have. I do not know if you have seen my bill, but again, I am taking as much information as I can from the stakeholders working with the leadership because, ultimately, the leadership will decide," said the Florida Congressman.
