S1748

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) was introduced May 14, 2025 by Sen. Blackburn (R-TN) and has 76 bipartisan cosponsors. On Aug 5, 2026, the Senate Commerce Committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill now awaits floor action in the Senate. No companion bill has been introduced in the House yet, but broad support suggests potential for eventual enactment. The bill requires covered platforms—defined broadly to include social media, online video games, messaging apps, and video streaming services used by minors—to implement a duty of care to prevent and mitigate harms like mental health disorders, compulsive usage, and severe harassment. Platforms must provide parental controls, age estimation, and data safeguards for minors under 17 (with stricter rules for children under 13). It also mandates transparency reports and an FTC study on age verification. There is no appropriation; enforcement is through FTC and state attorneys general. The money trail is negative: this bill imposes compliance costs without providing any offsetting funds. Companies must invest in age verification technology, content moderation, and product redesign. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet scored S.1748, but similar state-level laws (California, Utah) have led to substantial legal and operational expenses. Structural winners: None among the targeted platforms. The bill may benefit age-verification vendors (not publicly traded pure plays) and digital safety software companies, but these are not directly named. The bill includes exceptions for common carriers, email, and teleconferencing services, so ISPs and B2B communication platforms are largely exempt. Timeline: The next step is Senate floor consideration, likely later this session. If passed, it would go to the House. Given the bipartisan coalition, passage in this Congress is probable. Full implementation would take 18–24 months after enactment.