This week, Facebook announced that it was pushing ahead with its “Instagram for Kids” platform despite widespread concerns over privacy. However, a U.S. lawmaker is also set to introduce an ambitious bill that could hold Facebook and other tech companies fully accountable for children’s online privacy.

The bill, called the Protecting the Information of our Vulnerable Children and Youth Act (PRIVCY Act), would allow parents to sue companies that violate their kids’ online privacy. It would also ban data-driven advertising to children under 18 and require sites for children to undergo a “Privacy and Security Impact Assessment.” The bill’s author, congresswoman Kathy Castor, says that digital technology and tracking have surpassed the privacy protections offered to children.

“Companies shouldn’t be allowed to unreasonably track and target children. Many companies have been violating the minimal privacy protections in place today as devices and applications have become more sophisticated in targeting kids,” Castor said in a statement. “It’s time to strengthen online protections for our youngest neighbors and bring these safeguards into the 21st century.”

A similar bill introduced by Castor died out in congress last year, so it will be interesting to see if this one fares any better. However, regardless of the outcome, this legislation raises valuable points that should be included in future efforts to rein in Facebook.

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