Utah Valley Times

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney has joined bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting young people from online harm. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is a bill led by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn that seeks to provide young people and parents with the necessary tools, safeguards, and transparency to protect against online harm to minors.

According to Senator Romney, social media platforms have failed to adequately protect children and teenagers from cyberbullying, addiction, and long-term mental health challenges. He believes that legislative action is necessary to address these issues and to ensure the safety of young people online.

The Kids Online Safety Act would require social media companies to prioritize the well-being of children by providing a safe online environment by default. Senator Romney expressed his pride in joining a majority of his colleagues in cosponsoring this legislation, as it would equip parents and their children with the necessary tools to keep themselves safe online.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox also expressed his support for the legislation, stating that it empowers parents to better protect their children from the harms of social media. He applauded Senator Romney's leadership in this important policy area.

Kerry Healey, former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and Co-chair of Issue One’s Council for Responsible Social Media, highlighted the negative impact of unchecked social media companies on young people. She stated that these platforms have prioritized profit over the well-being of children, exploiting their anxieties and keeping their attention longer. Healey commended Senator Romney's leadership on this issue and expressed the hope of working together to pass KOSA into law.

Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn, the lead sponsors of the Kids Online Safety Act, emphasized the bipartisan support for the bill, with a total of 62 co-sponsors from both Democrats and Republicans. They stated that the recent hearing with Big Tech CEOs showcased the urgent need for reform, and they believe that this is the moment to take action. They emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of young people, parents, experts, and advocates and holding Big Tech accountable by passing the Kids Online Safety Act into law.

The bill has garnered support from a wide range of senators, including Shelley Moore Capito, Ben Ray Luján, Bill Cassidy, Tammy Baldwin, Joni Ernst, Amy Klobuchar, Steve Daines, Gary Peters, Marco Rubio, and many others.

The need for such legislation is evident as children and teenagers have become increasingly attached to their electronic devices. Statistics show that children ages 8 to 12 spend an average of five hours per day on their screens, while teenagers log over 8 hours every day. Last August, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services launched an awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of social media on children.

The Kids Online Safety Act aims to address these issues by providing measures to keep children safer online. It is supported by over half of the U.S. Senate and seeks to create a safer online environment for young people.

The full text of the legislation can be found on Senator Romney's website.

In conclusion, Senator Romney's cosponsorship of the Kids Online Safety Act demonstrates his commitment to protecting young people from online harm. The bipartisan support for this legislation reflects the urgent need for reform to ensure the well-being of children in the digital age.