Indy Standard

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has expressed his approval of the Senate's passage of the Kids Online Safety Act, a bipartisan measure aimed at protecting children online and holding social media companies accountable. The legislation passed with a vote of 91-3 and will now move to the House of Representatives.

Senator Young, along with Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), served as an original cosponsor of the bill.

"Hoosier parents are concerned about protecting their children online and want social media companies to do more to safeguard their platforms. Our bipartisan bill would require these companies to take new measures to protect children from harmful content and empower parents with additional tools to safeguard their children and protect their personal information. I encourage my colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation so that it can be signed into law," said Senator Young.

The Kids Online Safety Act aims to equip young people and parents with necessary tools, safeguards, and transparency to shield against online harms. The bill mandates that social media platforms prioritize children's well-being, ensuring a safe environment by default. It also calls for independent audits by experts and academic researchers to verify that social media platforms are taking substantial steps to mitigate risks to children.

The act has garnered support from numerous advocacy and technology groups, including Common Sense Media, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Compass, Eating Disorders Coalition, Fairplay, Mental Health America, and Digital Progress Institute.