Lawmakers Vow To Protect Children From “Toxic Content” On Facebook

There aren’t many issues in American politics that unite both parties, but cracking down on Facebook is one of them. This week, several prominent US lawmakers from both sides of the aisle promised to pass legislation that would hold tech giants like Facebook accountable for exploiting young users.

Last year, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn introduced a bill called the Kids Online Safety Act that would require Facebook to protect children from stalking, exploitation, addiction and falling into “rabbit holes of dangerous material.” It would also require the company to allow children and their parents to opt out of data collection for content recommendations.

“Big Tech has relentlessly, ruthlessly pumped up profits by purposefully exploiting kids’ and parents’ pain,” Blumenthal said at a hearing this week. “That is why we must — and we will — double down on the Kids Online Safety Act.”

“Our kids are literally dying from things they access online, from fentanyl to sex trafficking to suicide kits,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn added. “It’s not too late to save the children and teens who are suffering right now because Big Tech refuses to protect them.”

This bill was previously unable to pass the full Senate, but the fact it’s being revived now means it could have a good shot. But no matter the outcome, hopefully this legislative effort encourages Facebook to strengthen its protections for young users.




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