McClellan Statement on Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act

Washington, D.C. -Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement on House passage of H.R. 7757, the bipartisan Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act:

"Today, I voted for the KIDS Act as a critical first step to protect our children from invasive data collection, exploitation, harmful content and more.

"As a member of Gen X who is a mom to a Gen Z teen and a Gen Alpha tween, I struggle every day to find the balance between giving our kids the freedom they need to develop and grow, and keeping them safe. I see that the digital world kids face today is unlike anything previous generations experienced.

"Every day, innovators launch new technologies, applications and online platforms that create opportunities for learning, creativity and connection. But those same innovations also create new opportunities for those who would do our kids harm and new risks, from data collection to cyberbullying, online exploitation and harmful content. It is much harder for parents or other trusted adults to help protect kids from these harms that they often do not see in an ecosystem they often do not understand.

"The KIDS Act represents months of bipartisan negotiations culminating in policies that better safeguard children and teens online. The bill closes gaps in federal law by strengthening privacy protections for children and teens, banning targeted advertising to minors, requiring online platforms to reduce harmful interactions and addictive design features, giving parents and teens greater control over personal information and more. It does all this while still preserving every state's ability to enact even stronger protections for children and families.

"While the package does not include the 'duty of care' provision found in the Kids Online Safety Act mandating that online platforms actively prevent and mitigate foreseeable harms to minors, we cannot let perfect become the enemy of the good. This bill provides us with a foundation upon which we can continue to build up these protections for kids online. I remain committed to holding Big Tech corporations accountable until every child can enjoy the opportunities presented online to create, learn and play, without sacrificing their right to privacy, safety or mental health."

Watch Rep. McClellan's remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 7757 here.