US House passes youth online safety legislation

The ‌US House of Representatives has passed legislation requiring online platforms to provide some safeguards for children, ‌setting up a potential clash with the Senate where lawmakers support more stringent standards.

Congress has taken increasing interest in preventing harm to youth online, as social media companies ‌have faced ‌a ⁠backlash.

The House passed the Kids Internet ​and Digital Safety Act in a 267-117 vote on Monday with support from both Democrats and Republicans.

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.

The bill ‌is the House’s first attempt to regulate online child ​safety since the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act in a 91-3 vote in ​2024.

The ​Senate bill would ​impose a “duty of care” on ‌social media companies when it comes to young users. 

US Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, has been negotiating with the White House to gain support ​for a package that would include the bill.