On June 29, 2026, the US House of Representatives passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, aiming to bolster protections for children online.
The legislation, which received bipartisan support with a vote of 267-117, mandates that online platforms implement measures to help children manage addictive features and guard against various online dangers.
Legislative Context and Future Prospects
This move comes as lawmakers have increasingly focused on youth safety in the digital space, especially following the backlash against social media companies.
The legislation would require companies to offer ways for kids to limit addictive features and put in place policies to protect children from some harms including sexual exploitation.
US House of Representatives
The Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act is the House's first major attempt to regulate child safety online since the Senate's passage of the Kids Online Safety Act in 2024, which was approved with overwhelming support.
The Senate's prior legislation emphasizes a 'duty of care' for social media companies towards young users, reflecting a growing consensus that more needs to be done to safeguard minors.
- Promotes tools to limit addictive features for minors.
- Establishes protective policies against online exploitation.