The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is moving forward with consideration of the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, as lawmakers seek to address online harms to children.

Introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., in May 2025, the bill would require covered online platforms to implement tools and safeguards to protect users under age 17. It includes provisions for a duty of care standard that would obligate platforms to prevent certain harms to minors.

This development comes after the House passed its own version of children's online safety legislation, the KIDS Act, in June 2026. That measure consolidated multiple proposals but omitted the duty of care requirement found in the Senate bill. Senate sponsors criticized the House version, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., calling it insufficient.

Committee Chairman Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has signaled plans to advance kids' online safety measures, including potential markup activity. The Senate version of KOSA has garnered significant bipartisan support in prior sessions.

Supporters argue the legislation empowers parents and holds Big Tech accountable for features that can expose young users to harmful content. Critics, including civil liberties groups, have raised concerns about potential impacts on privacy and free speech through mechanisms like age verification.

The bill remains in the early stages of the legislative process in the Senate, with further committee action and floor consideration needed before any final passage.