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119-hr-6265119th CongressWALLET

Safer GAMING Act

Sponsored By: Representative Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

In Committee

Summary

Default parental controls to block or limit minors' contact with adults in online games. The bill would require online video game providers to build easy, enabled-by-default safeguards so parents can control who a minor can message or play with.

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  • Parents and families: Parents would get account-level controls that are turned on by default and can only be disabled by the parent. Those controls let parents limit or allow communication between the minor and any other user, including adults.
  • Online game providers: Providers would have to offer accessible privacy and safety settings and make the strictest privacy setting include these safeguards by default. The safeguards take effect 1 year after enactment and providers who fail to comply face enforcement.
  • Enforcement and states: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would treat violations as unfair or deceptive acts under the FTC Act and use its usual penalties. States may bring parens patriae lawsuits to stop violations and seek damages, though the Act also bars state laws that conflict with its provisions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Federal rule would override state gaming laws

If passed, states and cities could not make or enforce laws on the same topics covered by this Act. This would create one national standard for online game safeguards. It could stop states from setting different or stricter rules.

FTC and states could enforce safeguards

Breaking the parental‑control rule would count as an unfair or deceptive act. The FTC could enforce the rule using its full powers under the FTC Act. State attorneys general or agencies could also sue to stop violations and get damages, restitution, or other relief. They would need to notify the FTC before filing, or right after if advance notice is not possible. The FTC could join those cases and appeal. If the FTC or U.S. Attorney General already sued the same defendant on the same claims in federal court, a State could not bring a duplicative case while that case is pending. States would keep their own investigation and subpoena powers.

Parents control kids' game chats

If enacted, online game companies would need to give parents easy controls to limit who their child can talk to in a game, including adults. These controls would be on by default for users the company knows are under 18. Only the parent could turn them off. The most protective privacy and safety setting would include these controls by default. Parents could set rules for one person or many. This would start one year after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

NJ • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 12/15/2025

  • Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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