Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)
Key facts about KOSA
- Full name: Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)
- Region: United States
- Status: Proposed legislation (as of 2026)
- Focus: Online safety and privacy for minors under 17
- Key requirement: Platforms must mitigate risks and enable strong privacy protections by default
- Related laws: COPPA and other children’s privacy frameworks
What is the Kids Online Safety Act?
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is a proposed U.S. law aimed at improving online safety for minors by placing greater responsibility on digital platforms.
For those asking what is the Kids Online Safety Act or what does the Kids Online Safety Act do, it introduces requirements for platforms to reduce risks associated with harmful content, excessive screen time, and unsafe online interactions.
KOSA focuses on creating safer digital environments for users under the age of 17.
Kids Online Safety Act meaning
The kids online safety act meaning centers on shifting responsibility for child safety is shifted from individuals to technology platforms.
The law proposes that platforms should actively assess and reduce risks to minors rather than relying solely on parental supervision.
This includes addressing issues such as:
- Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content
- Cyberbullying and harassment
- Addictive platform features
- Mental health-related risks
Key requirements under KOSA
Duty of care
KOSA introduces a duty of care requirement, meaning platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent or mitigate risks to minors.
These risks may include:
- Anxiety, depression, or other mental health harms
- Bullying and harassment
- Sexual exploitation or harmful content exposure
Default privacy and safety settings
Platforms may be required to enable the strongest privacy and safety settings by default for users under 17.
This may include:
- Limiting data collection
- Disabling certain tracking or profiling features
- Restricting features that encourage prolonged engagement
Parental controls
KOSA emphasizes giving parents tools to manage their child’s online experience.
Platforms may be required to provide tools that allow parents to:
- View and adjust privacy settings
- Monitor time spent on platforms
- Restrict purchases or interactions
Transparency requirements
Platforms may be required to disclose how their systems operate, particularly recommendation algorithms.
This includes:
- Providing information about content recommendation systems
- Conducting regular risk assessments
- Sharing findings related to risks to minors
Age verification considerations
Some versions of KOSA include provisions related to age verification for accessing certain types of content.
These measures aim to ensure that age-appropriate safeguards are applied.
KOSA requirements overview
Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
Duty of care | Platforms must take steps to reduce risks such as harmful content and mental health impacts |
Default protections | Strong privacy and safety settings must be enabled for minors by default |
Parental controls | Tools must be provided for parents to manage and monitor children’s online activity |
Transparency | Platforms must disclose how systems such as algorithms impact minors |
Risk assessments | Regular evaluations of risks to minors must be conducted |
Goals of the Kids Online Safety Act
The Kids Online Safety Act aims to improve the online experience for minors by reducing exposure to harmful or risky content.
The law focuses on:
- Increasing accountability for technology platforms
- Reducing harmful content exposure
- Supporting healthier digital habits for minors
- Providing families with better control tools
Criticism and concerns
KOSA has generated discussion and debate among policymakers, organizations, and advocacy groups.
Some concerns include:
- Potential over-restriction of online content
- Risks related to content moderation and censorship
- Privacy implications of age verification requirements
- The balance between safety and access to information
These concerns highlight the complexity of regulating online environments.
Legislative status
As of 2026, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) has been reintroduced and advanced through parts of the U.S. legislative process.
It is sometimes discussed alongside broader digital safety initiatives, including the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act.
The final form and implementation of the law may continue to evolve.
Why KOSA matters
Online platforms play a significant role in how minors interact with digital content and services.
KOSA reflects growing attention to:
- Protecting children’s privacy and well-being
- Managing risks associated with digital platforms
- Increasing transparency and accountability in technology systems
Related privacy terms
Commonly asked questions
The Kids Online Safety Act is a proposed U.S. law designed to improve online safety for minors by requiring platforms to implement safeguards and reduce risks.
It requires platforms to introduce safety features, provide parental controls, and assess risks that may affect minors online.
As of 2026, KOSA is proposed legislation and has not yet been fully enacted into law.
KOSA expands on child protection concepts by focusing more broadly on online safety and platform responsibility, while COPPA primarily regulates data collection for children under 13.
Adam is the Head of Digital Marketing at Clym, where he leverages his diverse expertise in marketing to support businesses with their compliance needs and drive awareness about data privacy and web accessibility. As one of the company’s original team members, Adam has been instrumental in shaping its journey from the very beginning. When he’s not diving into marketing strategies, Adam can be found cheering on his favorite sports teams or enjoying fishing.
Find out more about Adam