KIDS Act

The Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act would establish a wide-ranging set of regulations for online platforms to protect users under the age of 17. The bill proposes to mandate "safety by default" settings, which would require social media and other digital services to automatically apply the highest privacy and security protections for minors. It aims to restrict features that encourage compulsive usage, ban targeted advertising and market research directed at children, and prohibit certain messaging features, such as ephemeral (disappearing) messages, for younger users.

For parents, the legislation would require platforms to provide a centralized and intuitive interface for monitoring and managing their children's online activities. This includes tools to control privacy settings, track time spent online, and limit exposure to potentially harmful content. The bill also proposes to hold technology companies accountable through mandatory annual third-party audits and a reporting mechanism for harms. If enacted, the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general would be responsible for enforcing these standards to ensure platforms prioritize the safety and well-being of young users.