US House passes youth online safety legislation


FILE PHOTO: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and Reddit applications are displayed on a mobile phone in this picture illustration taken on December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/Illustration/File Photo

June ⁠29 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives passed ⁠legislation on Monday that would require online ‌platforms to provide some safeguards for children, setting up a potential clash with the Senate where lawmakers support more ​stringent standards.

Congress has taken increasing interest ⁠in preventing harm ⁠to youth online, as social media companies have faced ⁠a ‌backlash.

The House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act in a 267-117 ⁠vote with support from both Democrats and ​Republicans.

The legislation ‌would require companies to offer ways for ⁠kids to ​limit addictive features and put in place policies to protect children from some harms including sexual ⁠exploitation.

The bill is the House's first ​attempt to regulate online child safety since the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act in a ⁠91-3 vote in 2024.

The Senate bill would impose a "duty of care" on social media companies when it comes to young users. U.S. Senator ​Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from ⁠Tennessee, has been negotiating with the White House to ​gain support for a ‌package that would include the ​bill.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Chris Reese)

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