1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) poses a significant threat to free speech online and endangers access to vital resources for marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ+ youth. While concerns about young people's online safety are valid, enabling censorship that harms the most vulnerable is not the solution. KOSA would pressure social media platforms to remove content deemed "inappropriate" for minors, but there is no consensus on what constitutes inappropriate content. This could lead to the erasure of online communities and resources that LGBTQ+ and transgender youth rely on as lifelines, especially during a time when their rights are under attack. Furthermore, KOSA would expand the use of invasive age verification and parental monitoring tools, compromising the safety and privacy of young people trying to access sensitive information or escape abusive situations. Instead of KOSA, lawmakers should reject this bill and focus on passing comprehensive federal data privacy legislation that protects all internet users, especially children, from the abusive practices of tech companies. Safeguarding online spaces for marginalized communities should be a priority, not collateral damage.