Bill Overview
Title: Kids Online Safety Act
Description: This bill sets out requirements for covered platforms (i.e., social networks, video streaming services, or other applications that connect to the internet and are likely to be used by minors) to protect minors from online harm, including requirements relating to (1) safeguards to restrict access to the personal data of minors, (2) tools to help parents supervise a minor's use of a platform, and (3) reporting of harm to minors from using the platform.
Sponsors: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Target Audience
Population: Minors who use internet-connected platforms
Estimated Size: 63000000
- The bill specifically targets online platforms that minors are likely to use, which includes social networks and video streaming services.
- The primary population impacted by this bill are minors who use the internet, as the bill aims to protect them from online harm.
- Parents may also be indirectly impacted as the bill includes provisions for tools to help them supervise a minor's use of a platform.
- Online platforms and service providers will need to adjust their operations to comply with the requirements, which may impact their operations and costs.
- The global youth population is significant, as internet access is widespread in many parts of the world.
- In 2021, UNICEF estimated there are about 2.2 billion minors globally.
- Given the growing use of digital platforms among minor populations worldwide, a large portion of this population may be impacted by such regulatory changes.
Reasoning
- The population distribution should include a diverse range of minors with different backgrounds, family structures, and internet usage habits to simulate varied experiences of the policy's impact.
- The cost of implementing the policy is considerable, thus focusing on minors who are at high risk may show the most dramatic improvement in wellbeing scores, while those with low risk may show minimal change.
- Including parents and platform operators highlights the secondary impacts of the policy, offering perspectives on its broader societal implications.
- While the policy budget suggests broad coverage, individual experiences will vary based on existing protections and vulnerabilities in place.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (Suburban Ohio)
Age: 15 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's about time someone did something about online bullying.
- If it really helps protect my private info, then it sounds good.
- My parents don't really get all the apps I use, but tools to help them understand could be nice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Middle School Student (Rural Alabama)
Age: 13 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I mostly use the internet for school, so I haven't had too many issues.
- If it helps my parents feel better about me being online, it's fine.
- I don't really use social networks much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
High School Student (Urban New York)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might be useful, but I already feel pretty safe online.
- Most of my issues come from school stress, not online.
- It could help younger kids more than me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Elementary Student (San Francisco, California)
Age: 10 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sometimes I see things in games that bother me, so I guess the policy could help.
- My parents already watch what I do, but extra help for them could be good.
- I like the idea of being safer online.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Middle School Student (Rural Texas)
Age: 14 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sometimes I post things without thinking, so having more rules might help.
- My parents don’t know much about what I do online.
- Having more protection can make me feel safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Middle School Student (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 12 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see weird ads sometimes that make me uncomfortable.
- My school helps us use safe sites, but it's good to have more protection.
- If it helps my parents keep the bad stuff away, that's great.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Elementary Student (Miami, Florida)
Age: 9 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I watch a lot of cartoons online, so if it helps keep bad stuff away, that's good.
- My parents always watch with me anyway, but sometimes I'm alone.
- I just don't want scary things showing up.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
High School Student (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 16 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I manage my own stuff pretty well, but I'm sure it helps others.
- It seems like a lot more red tape, but keeping things safe is important.
- Parents should know how stuff works.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Elementary Student (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 11 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I know to stay away from bad sites, but extra help is good.
- My family is already pretty strict about internet rules.
- This could just make it easier for everyone to be safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Middle School Student (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 13 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think extra safety would really help me feel better online.
- I've had some mean comments before, so this could help stop that.
- My parents don't really know my friends online, so this helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $450000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $650000000)
Year 3: $400000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $350000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $550000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $500000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Key Considerations
- Technological feasibility and readiness of platforms to comply with new safety standards.
- Potential impact on the competitiveness of U.S. platforms globally if other countries do not impose similar regulations.
- Variability in costs across different types and sizes of online platforms.
- Impact on consumers if platforms increase service fees to offset additional costs.