Parents, Lawmakers Rail Against Sham Kids Online Safety Bills

Parents, Lawmakers Rail Against Sham Kids Online Safety Bills

Versions of KOSA and COPPA Advanced by House Subcommittee Would Provide Get-Out-of-Jail Free Card for Big Tech at Children's Expense

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Survivor parents whose children were hurt or died because Big Tech chose profits over safety released the following statements today after the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade advanced H.R. 6484, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and H.R. 6291, Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA):

"Preemption in these bills is a gift to Big Tech and a blow to families. By stripping states of the power to enforce their own protections, this bill would silence the very leaders who have been on the front lines holding tech companies accountable. States have acted because Congress hasn't, and preempting them now would weaken safeguards for kids, delay urgently needed reforms, and leave families with fewer tools, not more. We should be raising the bar for accountability, not taking power away from the people closest to the harm," said Amy Neville, mother of Alexander, forever 14.

"It's clear that Congress knows exactly what's happening to our kids and still, nothing changes. They watered down KOSA and then claimed to stand with families. When profit keeps winning over children's lives, it's not just a policy failure, it's a moral one. Parents don't need more sympathy; we need action. We're out of time and so are our lawmakers," said Julianna Arnold, mother of Coco, forever 17.

"This is not an abstract policy debate - it is a matter of life and death. We need protection, not preemption. If federal inaction means tech companies are left to police themselves, our children remain exposed. States must step in to require algorithmic transparency, enforce age-appropriate design standards, mandate meaningful parental controls and moderation, fund research and mental-health supports, and hold platforms accountable when their products harm young people. Annalee's death should not be in vain. Protect our kids. Pass laws that prioritize safety over engagement and people over profits," said Lori Schott, mother of Annalee, forever 18.

"I am deeply disappointed in our legislators. Time and again, they send their condolences and express the need for action-and time and again, they fail to hold Big Tech accountable. The bills advanced today not only fall short of protecting our children, but they would take away our rights as parents to seek justice for the children we've lost. That is unacceptable," said Erin Popolo, mother of Emily, forever 17.

"Predatory tech and provocative advertisers have been allowed to experiment on an entire generation, and the results are in-the kids lost. It's time for Congress to pass strong legislation that protects kids online and gives parents the ability to hold Big Tech accountable-not the 'K Street KOSA' bill that puts profits over our children's safety," said Mary Rodee, mother of Riley, forever 15.

Lawmakers also expressed concerns with kids online safety and the bills being considered in the markup today:

"That sweeping preemption standard must be seen for what it is: it's total immunity for hurting kids... It's a slap in the face to everyone that's worked at the state level on kids' privacy," said Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL).

"This watered down version of KOSA simply does not cut it. The bipartisan KOSA text that I was proud to help lead last Congress would create a duty of care for Big Tech to ensure that they actually prevent or mitigate the harms that they are causing to kids...We need legislation with teeth that will actually hold Big Tech accountable and that will help today's kids break this compulsive and addictive cycle that they are facing online," said Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA).

"I have strong concerns about the broad preemption included in this bill, also in COPPA 2.0 and other bills before us today. I would also like to see a stronger knowledge standard that does not let companies look the other way when they know they have kids on their platforms. [KOSA] therefore needs more work, and I can't support it in its current form...The bottom line is kids' safety is too important to get it wrong," said Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

"There's a potential that some of these broad preemptions found in bills like KOSA and others could jeopardize Florida's ability to enact some critical laws at the state level. When we talk about how to enforce these key protections for the vast expanses of the internet, you need multiple cops on the beat," said Representative Darren Soto (D-FL).