The House Committee on Energy and Commerce is gearing up for a December hearing that could introduce as many as 20 bills focused on kids’ online safety—a major follow-through on Chair Brett Guthrie’s (R-Ky.) promise to advance protections earlier this year.
The timing follows renewed pressure on social media companies. Critics have consistently told Congress the company has done little to curb harms like bullying, anxiety, eating disorders, and exposure to explicit content. Lawsuits tied to AI chatbot-related harms are adding fuel.
What’s Already in Play
- A refreshed Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
- Updates to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) .
- The App Store Accountability Act, requiring Apple and Google to verify user ages.
- “Sammy’s Law,” making it easier for parents to use outside tools to manage kids’ accounts.
- The SCREENS Act, requiring age verification and filtering for sexually explicit content.
The committee is expected to advance several bills, bundled or standalone, as House leaders try to deliver a long-stalled bipartisan win on youth online safety heading into 2026. Reach out to us with any questions.
