KIDS Act
Sponsored By: Representative Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
Introduced
Summary
Strong federal protections for minors online: this bill would force platforms, games, and chatbots to use age-verification measures and default, parent-controlled safety settings to shield children from sexual content and harmful interactions. It would also mandate audits and federal studies to track effectiveness and data practices.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Default parental controls for online games
If enacted, interactive online game companies would have to enable safeguards for users they know are minors. Safeguards would be on by default at the most protective setting and would prevent a minor's profile from being recommended to adults, restrict in‑game purchases, and limit play time. Games would have to give clear notice when safeguards are active and may offer a single parent interface for multiple accounts.
Safety rules for chatbots used by kids
If enacted, chatbot providers who know a user is a minor would have to disclose that the system is AI at the start of the first interaction and on request. They would have to give age‑appropriate crisis and suicide hotline resources when a minor asks about suicide and advise a break after three hours of continuous chat. Providers could not falsely claim a chatbot is a licensed professional and must have policies limiting promotion of gambling, drugs, tobacco, or alcohol to minors.
Federal studies, education, and partnership
If enacted, federal agencies would run major studies and education on minors' online safety. The FTC must report on minors' access to fentanyl via social media within 1 year. The FTC and HHS must study social media use by minors and report to Congress in 3 years. NIH must run a 4‑year study on chatbots and youth mental health. Commerce would start a Kids Internet Safety Partnership that ends after 5 years and must publish guidance.
FTC enforcement and state lawsuits
If enacted, violations of this bill would count as violations of FTC rules and the FTC would have the same enforcement powers it already uses. State attorneys general could sue on behalf of residents, but they must notify the FTC and face limits if a federal civil action is already pending. The FTC could intervene in state suits and pursue remedies under the FTC Act.
Platform audits and harm reporting
If enacted, covered platforms would need independent third‑party audits within 18 months and then every year. Audits would count how many U.S. users are minors, report average and median time minors spend, and list safeguards and reports by harm type. Platforms would have to give auditors access, file audit results with the FTC within 30 days, and publish a public report within 45 days. Platforms would also need an easy way to report harms to minors and give a substantive response within 10 days or faster for imminent threats.
Speech and privacy limits on enforcement
If enacted, the bill would say it cannot be used to punish speech protected by the First Amendment. It would not force platforms to decrypt user messages or to disclose a minor's browsing, search, or message history. The bill would not change COPPA or Section 230 and would limit data‑retention and age‑collection requirements.
Age checks for sexual content online
If enacted, platforms that knowingly host a large share of sexual material harmful to minors would have to use commercially available age‑verification technology within one year. These tools could not rely on simple self‑confirmation, and platforms must limit retention and disclosure of TVM data and protect it with reasonable security measures. The bill would bar states from forcing platforms to use TVMs, and it would say TVMs cannot require users to submit government‑issued IDs.
Definitions that shape protections
If enacted, the bill would define key terms used across the act. 'Minor' would mean anyone under 17. 'Design features' would include infinite scroll, autoplay, rewards, notifications, badges, appearance filters, and personalized recommendation systems. The bill would also define what counts as a personalized recommendation system.
Ad rules and ad bans for minors
If enacted, platforms would have to show clear and easy‑to‑understand ad labels to users they know are minors. Platforms could not facilitate advertisements for narcotics, cannabis products, tobacco, gambling, or alcohol to users they know are minors.
Ban on commercial research about kids
If enacted, platforms could not do market or product research on users they know are minors. An exception would allow research used only to improve privacy, security, transparency, or safety, or research required by law. The bill would also stop states from making their own rules that regulate platforms' market research on minors.
Limits on direct and disappearing messages
If enacted, platforms would not be allowed to offer direct messaging to users under 13 and would have to disable ephemeral (disappearing) messaging for users they know are minors. These messaging rules would start 180 days after enactment, though parental direct‑messaging controls follow a different timeline. The bill would also prevent states from making their own rules that ban these messaging features or regulate parental direct‑messaging controls on covered platforms.
When the rules would start
If enacted, the Act would take effect one year after enactment unless a section sets a different date. This one‑year start date would apply to most platform and provider requirements.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
KY • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov