Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act
The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to mark up children’s online safety and artificial intelligence legislation next week following the House’s passage of the KIDS Act (H.R. 7757). While Congress has an important opportunity to strengthen protections for children online, the House bill fell short by removing a meaningful duty of care and weakening accountability for technology companies. As the Senate considers its approach, Florida Citizens Alliance will be watching closely to ensure any final legislation puts children, not Big Tech, first.
No Liability Shield
Technology companies should not receive special legal protections that shield them from accountability for foreseeable harms caused by their products or design choices. Accountability drives safer innovation and gives families the ability to seek justice when companies knowingly place profits ahead of children’s safety.
No Federal Preemption
Federal legislation should establish a minimum standard, not prevent states from enacting stronger protections. Florida has led the way in responding to emerging online harms, and Congress should preserve our ability to protect children as technology continues to rapidly evolve.
A Real Duty of Care
Any child online safety legislation must include an enforceable duty of care requiring technology companies to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to minors. Without it, companies have no legal obligation to prioritize children’s safety, leaving families and states to bear the burden after harm has already occurred.
FLCA is calling on Congress to strengthen protections for children, not weaken accountability for the companies that create and profit from these technologies.
