Parents Unite: Pushing Back Against a Controversial Kids Online Safety Bill

**By | September 12, 2023**

A group of over one hundred parents of transgender and gender expansive children have come together to urge members of Congress to oppose the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). These parents argue that efforts to protect minors online could have unintended consequences and could be weaponized against LGBTQ communities.

This opposition comes in the form of a letter organized by the internet rights group Fight for the Future and was sent on Tuesday. In the letter, the parents express that they agree with the concerns raised by the bill’s supporters about the harm caused to children by Big Tech companies. However, they argue that more effective measures to protect their children would involve stronger privacy, anti-trust, and transparency measures, rather than the provisions outlined in KOSA.

The letter states, “Our kids have also been harmed by these companies’ greed: their addictive design, their intrusive surveillance, their failure to address online hate, bullying, and abuse… But legislation like KOSA would make our kids less safe, not more safe.”

This letter represents a recent development in a broader campaign by civil society groups against the Kids Online Safety Act, which was advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee in July. The bill has garnered support from both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and President Joe Biden, who believe it should be passed into law.

Introduced by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), the Kids Online Safety Act would place a duty of care on online platforms to prevent the promotion of harmful content to users under the age of 17, such as content related to eating disorders and suicide. The bill does provide exceptions for support services like suicide help hotlines, schools, and educational software.

Critics of KOSA argue that it would make the internet a less safe place for children by censoring content that could actually help them. Furthermore, they believe that the bill’s provisions allowing for parental surveillance tools could potentially endanger children in unsafe home environments. Opponents also argue that the bill could be politicized by state attorneys general, who would have the power to enforce the duty of care, which could lead to further restrictions on LGBTQ and reproductive health content in states where such information is already being censored.

The parents‘ letter comes in the wake of a surfaced interview with Senator Marsha Blackburn, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, in which she expressed her concern about “protecting minor children from the transgender in this culture and that influence.” Critics of the bill have seized on this interview as evidence that KOSA could be used to limit access to information about gender and sexual expression.

In response, Blackburn’s legislative director, Jamie Susskind, claimed in a blog post that the interview was taken out of context and clarified that the bill does not target or censor any individual or community. However, some supporters of the bill have openly embraced its potential as a tool to restrict access to sexual and transgender content.

KOSA has received support from several children’s safety groups, including FairPlay, Design it For Us, and Common Sense Media. However, these groups have publicly denounced Blackburn’s remarks, labeling them as transphobic and hurtful. They expressed their disappointment in her comments, stating, “It is unfortunate that her personal beliefs have muddied the discussion on the Kids Online Safety Act – legislation that will protect young people from the real online harms we face.”

While the passage of KOSA is still uncertain, some members of Congress have expressed concerns about the bill, particularly in regards to LGBTQ groups. Senate Commerce Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have both acknowledged these concerns and suggested that changes may be needed. It is also worth noting that the bill does not currently have a counterpart in the House and some members have already voiced their opposition.

In an era where technology and online platforms play an increasingly significant role in the lives of children, debates surrounding online safety are crucial. However, it is essential to carefully consider the potential consequences and unintended effects of legislation. Protecting children from harm is of utmost importance, but it should not come at the expense of the rights and safety of marginalized communities. Striking the right balance between online safety and privacy is a complex task that requires thoughtful deliberation and inclusive dialogue.