Common Sense Media Statement on the House Version of the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act 2.0

SAN FRANCISCO, December 1, 2025—A key congressional committee is holding a hearing Tuesday on 19 bills related to kids' online safety, including two long-standing bills that have already passed the Senate but that were just re-introduced in the House in a weaker form — the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act 2.0 (COPPA 2.0). Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer released the following statement in advance of the hearing:

"Common Sense Media is deeply disappointed that critical kids' online safety bills being considered in a key House committee are significantly weaker than those passed by the Senate on a near-unanimous bipartisan basis. Last year, KOSA and COPPA 2.0 earned overwhelming support from parents across the country and passed the Senate by a vote of 91–3, with strong backing from both Republicans and Democrats.

"The House's versions of KOSA and COPPA 2.0, released just before Thanksgiving and being heard just days after, erode the safety and privacy protections our children desperately need. If Congress is serious about protecting kids online, this is a non-starter.

"We are particularly concerned that preemption language in both House bills may not just dilute protections already passed by the Senate but erase protections currently in law in both red and blue states. As written, these House bills seem to offer greater protections for the tech industry than they do for kids.

"America's kids and their families need strong protections from the harms that the tech industry and Congress know children and teens face online every day. We look forward to the hearing on Tuesday, where these and other bills will be subject to questions and discussion, and to working with the Committee and its Members to ensure that any final legislation that Congress approves will give children and families the protection they deserve."