Attorneys General Demand Action on Kids Online Safety Act
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a unified call for action, attorneys general from 31 states and the District of Columbia, including New Mexico’s Raúl Torrez, have urged Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. The measure aims to impose a "duty of care" on social media platforms, ensuring they mitigate harmful impacts on children while enhancing parental control over online activities.
Torrez emphasized the urgency of the legislation, which has already gained significant traction in the Senate, passing with a bipartisan vote of 91-3. He underscored the need for the House of Representatives to act quickly, stating, "We have to have it pass the House, otherwise we have to go back to the drawing board with a new Congress."
The Kids Online Safety Act, first introduced in 2022, represents the first significant attempt to legislate online child safety since 1998. Torrez pointed out the long delay has largely been influenced by lobbying efforts from major social media companies, which have reportedly spent around $90 million over the last three years to resist stricter regulations.
Despite the challenges, Torrez expressed unwavering commitment to advancing the cause, asserting, "We are fed up with inaction at the congressional level." He indicated that irrespective of the outcome for the Kids Online Safety Act, he and fellow attorneys general will continue legal actions against platforms like Meta and Snapchat.
The call to action is a plea for Congress to prioritize the protection of children online, as advocates push for the legislation to move forward for a much-needed vote.
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