Social Media

House Panel Advances 18-Bill Kids’ Online Safety Package

Democrats warn the proposals would override stronger state privacy laws.

Jericho Casper

Dec 11, 2025 — 3 min read

Screenshot of Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade taken during hearing on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2025 – Lawmakers clashed Thursday over 18 federal proposals to regulate kids’ online safety, with Democrats warning that some would preempt stronger state laws.

The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade voted to advance the 18 bill kids’ online safety package to the full Energy and Commerce Committee. Of the bills considered, 11 were led by Republicans, three were brought by Democrats, and four were bipartisan.

Among the most divisive proposals was the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, which Democrats argued would establish a weak federal ceiling and block states from enforcing stronger children’s privacy and safety laws. Democrats raised similar objections to COPPA 2.0, a bill that would update the federal children’s privacy law of 1998.

Post tagged in

Social Media Public Safety Frank Pallone Morgan Wilsmann Yvette Clarke Ed Markey Gus Bilirakis House Subcommittee on Commerce Manufacturing and Trade Energy and Commerce CCIA KOSA COPPA 2.0 COPPA Free Speech

Member discussion

Broadband Breakfast on March 18, 2026 – BEAD Implementation Summit: Arielle Roth Fireside Chat

NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth takes center stage at Broadband Breakfast's BEAD Implementation Summit for a Fireside Chat on the state of the federal broadband funding program.

O’Rielly Wants Lutnick to Help Kill USDA’s Broadband Programs

The former Republican FCC Commissioner sees USDA programs as wasteful and unnecessary

Landowners and Locals are Fighting AI Expansion of High-Voltage Power Lines

High-voltage power lines cost tens of billions of dollars a year and are the latest front line in the battle over tech giants' massive operations.

Did Google President Ruth Porat Decide the GFiber ‘Other Bet’ Wasn’t Working?

GFiber opted to combine with a company in Astound Broadband that is 85% DOCSIS technology when plenty of pure-play fiber operators are still out there. What gives?