Summary
Two bills that would increase privacy protections for children have passed the first hurdle toward approval in the United States Congress. However, many people have expressed concerns about the potential for other privacy issues. Here’s where the conflict lies.
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Late last month, two bills intended to strengthen privacy and safety for children were passed by a Senate committee, paving the way for a full hearing and vote in the Senate. However, like almost anything in Washington now, these two bills are controversial. Here’s the rundown on the proposed legislation.
For Personal Tech Media, this is Two Minute Tech. I’m Jim Herman.
Supporters of the two bills, which are titled the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act, say that the bills strengthen privacy protections for children under 17 and close loopholes. The bills would stop online services from collecting data about users under the age of 17. It would also require content providers to filter harmful content from users under 17 and limit communication between them and adults.
Over 200 groups signed a letter pointing to data that indicates problems that have come from children’s use of social media. The letter also highlighted that the rate of emergency room admissions for eating disorders among teen girls has doubled from 2019 until now.
However, several other groups have lobbied against these changes. The groups contend that the broad prohibition on harmful content could result in websites blocking far too much information. They also say that to follow the provision to limit communication between adults and minors, sites would have to require identification, a move that would harm online anonymity.
Like most political issues, there’s likely an excellent middle ground somewhere in between the two viewpoints. However, whether or not Congress will find that place of compromise remains to be seen.