TRENTON, N.J. — U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) expressed strong support for the Kids Online Safety Act in a letter to constituents this week, emphasizing the urgent need to increase protections for children using the internet. Kim described the growing risks posed by social media and online platforms to children’s mental health, particularly in light of increasing rates of cyberbullying and online harassment.
“As a father of two boys, I know how vital online safety for our youngest Americans is for parents,” Kim wrote. “Too many parents across New Jersey are worried about their children’s safety when accessing the internet.”
Citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Kim noted that children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend nearly eight hours per day on screens for entertainment. He linked this screen time to a rise in teen depression, bullying, and harassment. Nearly 70 percent of LGBTQ youth report experiencing cyberbullying, according to Kim’s letter.
The Kids Online Safety Act, which Kim supports, would require social media companies to give minors more control over their online experience. This includes options to disable personalized content features, limit data collection, and opt out of algorithmic recommendations. The bill would also mandate annual audits assessing risks to minors and stricter oversight of platform design and content practices.
Bipartisan push for regulation gains support
Kim, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, stated that he voted for the bill when it came before the committee. He emphasized the importance of balancing safety protections with the need to preserve freedom of speech online.
“We need to meet the moment and address the risks that common online applications pose to our children’s mental health,” Kim wrote. He said he remains committed to working across the aisle to develop legislation that protects both children’s well-being and individual rights.
Kim concluded by encouraging constituents to stay in touch about internet safety and other concerns, and directed readers to his Senate website for more information about his work.
