The Debate Over Social Media and Free Speech for Kids

States and the federal government are proposing and passing laws to protect children from harmful content online, but the legislation is controversial due to concerns over censorship and politicization. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would require platforms to prevent children from being exposed to harmful content, but civil rights advocates are wary of any legislation that tries to control content. Some opponents fear that state leaders fighting a culture war could use KOSA to censor content about transgender rights, abortion care, or LGBTQ+ issues. Other proposed bills include EARN IT, the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act, and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act.