House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed reservations about a children's online safety bill that received backing from Elon Musk over the weekend. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a significant social media reform proposed by the Senate, faced scrutiny in the House of Representatives due to concerns about potential censorship and the authority granted to the Federal Trade Commission.
The bill, which passed the Senate with a 91 to 3 vote, encountered obstacles in the House, where leaders like Johnson raised questions about free speech implications and the risk of stifling conservative voices. However, efforts to address these issues were made by Linda Yaccarino, CEO of Musk's social media platform X, who collaborated with the bill's sponsors to address these concerns.
Yaccarino emphasized the importance of sensible online safeguards for minors while safeguarding freedom of speech. The push for the bill intensified over the weekend, with prominent figures like Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, Donald Trump Jr., and Musk advocating for its passage.
Despite the current congressional term's limited timeframe, Johnson acknowledged the progress made on the legislation and hinted at a potential revival of the effort in the upcoming year. He stressed the need to strike a balance between regulating free speech and ensuring online safety for children.
The bill's sponsors, Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Richard Blumenthal, appreciated Musk and Yaccarino's contributions in addressing concerns about potential censorship. They emphasized that the revised text aimed to promote free speech without the threat of censorship.
KOSA aims to hold social media platforms accountable for preventing harm to users under 17, including blocking addictive features for minors and enhancing privacy protections. The bill seeks to empower minors to safeguard their information and mitigate potential risks they may encounter online.
