Meta seeks legal shield in child safety lawsuits under KOSA talks

MUMBAI: The battle over online safety is getting a new plot twist, and this one is playing out in the fine print. Meta Platforms has proposed legal protections that could limit certain child safety-related lawsuits against online platforms as negotiations continue around the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) in the United States, according to a Reuters report citing a source familiar with the discussions and draft legislative language.

The proposal arrives at a time when social media companies are facing mounting scrutiny over their impact on younger users. Meta is currently battling thousands of lawsuits filed by children and families alleging harm linked to social media platforms, including Instagram. More recently, Meta and Google’s Youtube were ordered to pay a combined $6 million in damages after losing a trial involving claims related to youth harm.

At the centre of the debate is KOSA, a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening protections for minors online. The legislation would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent harms associated with features such as infinite scrolling, activity notifications and appearance-altering filters, which critics argue can encourage excessive use among younger audiences.

According to the proposed language reviewed by Reuters, online platforms would receive immunity from certain state-level legal claims related to the privacy and safety of users under the age of 18. The provision is reportedly being discussed as part of a broader effort that could see Meta withdraw its opposition to the bill.

Meta, however, has argued that the proposal should not be interpreted as blanket immunity. Company spokesperson Stephanie Otway said the measure would instead create consistent federal standards for youth online safety, replacing a patchwork of state regulations that companies currently navigate.

The proposal has already sparked debate among lawmakers. A spokesperson for Senator Marsha Blackburn, one of KOSA’s lead sponsors alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal, told Reuters that the senator had not reviewed the specific language and would not support such a provision.

The legislation’s journey through Washington has been anything but straightforward. KOSA secured strong bipartisan support in the Senate in 2024 but stalled in the House of Representatives. It has since been reintroduced as policymakers continue to grapple with online safety concerns, particularly as artificial intelligence and algorithm-driven platforms become increasingly embedded in daily life.

For Meta, the discussions underscore the delicate balancing act facing technology companies, supporting stronger protections for young users while limiting legal exposure. For lawmakers, the challenge remains crafting rules that protect children without creating loopholes that weaken accountability.

As the KOSA debate gathers momentum once again, one thing is clear, the fight over who is responsible for keeping children safe online is far from scrolling to the end.