Varnum Viewpoints:

KOSMA Restrictions: The Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) aims to ban social media for kids under 13 and limit targeted ads for users under 17.

Bipartisan Support & Opposition: While KOSMA has bipartisan backing, critics argue it could infringe on privacy and First Amendment rights.

Business Impact: KOSMA could affect companies targeting minors, requiring compliance with new privacy regulations alongside existing laws like COPPA.

While COPPA 2.0 and KOSA are discussed more frequently when it comes to protecting the privacy of minors online, the U.S. Senate is advancing new legislation aimed at regulating social media use by those 17 and under. In early February, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation voted to advance the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA), bringing it closer to a full Senate vote.

KOSMA Restrictions

KOSMA would prohibit children under 13 from accessing social media. Additionally, social media companies would be prohibited from leveraging algorithms to promote targeted advertising or personalized content to users under 17. Further, schools receiving federal funding would be required to limit the use of social media on their networks. The bill would also grant enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

Bipartisan Support & Opposition

KOSMA has received bipartisan support, with advocates such as Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), who introduced the bill in January, citing the growing mental health crisis amongst minors due to social media use. Supporters argue that while existing laws like COPPA protect children’s data, they do not adequately address the considerations of social media since they predate the platforms. However, much like similar state laws that have come before it, KOSMA is rife with opposition as well. Opponents argue that this type of regulation could erode privacy and impose unconstitutional restrictions on young people’s ability to engage online. Instituting a ban as opposed to mandating appropriate safeguards, opponents argue, infringes on First Amendment rights.

Business Impact

Although KOSMA only applies to “social media platforms,” the definition of this term could be interpreted broadly and potentially include many companies that publish user-generated content within the scope of KOSMA’s restrictions. KOSMA identifies specific types of companies that would be exempt from the definition of social media platforms, such as teleconferencing platforms or news outlets. If KOSMA were to go into effect, companies across the country that are knowingly collecting data from minors or targeting them with personalized content or advertising would have an additional layer of regulatory consideration when assessing their privacy practices pertaining to the processing of data related to minors—on top of existing federal and state laws.