WASHINGTON, DC (April 11, 2024) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) said that the Kids Online Safety Act, introduced into the U.S. House on Tuesday, will help curb the rampant harms happening to children on platforms like Roblox, Instagram, Discord, and others named to the 2024 Dirty Dozen List.
“Many tech platforms are inherently harmful to children because they have not been designed from the beginning to be safe for them. The Kids Online Safety Act would help reduce the harms present on algorithm-based social media platforms and gaming sites, including those named to the 2024 Dirty Dozen List. For instance, Roblox – heavily used by children – has not defaulted to safety as other platforms for ages 13+ have done, leaving children at risk for sexually explicit content and predatory behaviors. On Instagram, one out of every eight kids under the age of 16 reported experiencing unwanted sexual advances (within a seven-day time period). Discord enables exploiters to easily contact and groom children. Many of these harms to children would be significantly reduced – even eliminated – if tech companies had any accountability, as the Kids Online Safety Act would help provide,” said Lina Nealon, Vice President and Director of Corporate Advocacy, National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
The Kids Online Safety Act introduces and codifies into law for tech platforms to be designed with safety features on by default for children. It requires a “duty of care” to ensure that covered platforms exercise reasonable care regarding new design features. It will help protect children from the massive amount of online harm, including child sexual exploitation, suicide, online harassment, and eating disorders, that children, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized, are currently exposed to.
“It is time for Congress to act to protect our children online. The tech industry’s interest in their profits over protecting children has been evident. If passed, KOSA will become the first online child protection legislation passed by Congress in 25 years. Our children cannot wait any longer,” Nealon said.
The Kids Online Safety Act (H.R. 7891) was introduced by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.). The Senate version has 67 co-sponsors, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national non-partisan organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography. https://endsexualexploitation.org/
