I urge you, as my Representatives, to oppose KOSA — the Kids Online Safety Act, with all the power you have. Obviously from the title it is framed as legislation that would “protect the children” from potentially harmful internet content. But the language regarding what constitutes “harm” is written in an extremely broad way, applying to anything that might impact “anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and suicidal behaviors” in minors. KOSA empowers state attorneys general to take measures against internet and social media companies that platform supposedly “harmful” material. And this “harmful” material will without a doubt include trans and LGBTQ+ content. Senator Marsha Blackburn, the Republican co-sponsor of KOSA, in response to the question, “what do you think is...the top issue that conservatives should be taking action on?” said this: “Well, there are a couple of things. Of course, protecting minor children from the transgender in this culture and that influence. And I would add to that watching what’s happening on social media. And I’ve got the Kids Online Safety Act that I think we’re going to end up getting through.” We’ve already been through this before with SESTA-FOSTA: internet and social media companies will almost certainly purge targeted content rather than risk lawsuits and legal penalties. The kids will be harmed if KOSA passes, because far too many have already indicated that they will use it to cause that anxiety, depression, eating disorder, substance abuse disorder, and suicidal behavior that comes from being unable to talk to people about the issues in their lives. A cis straight kid will not become trans or gay because they've shared a conversation with a trans or gay kid - but a trans or gay kid may very well end up dead - and we're only thinking about the children! As your constituent I urge you to do everything in your power to oppose KOSA. Talk to the other Representatives - make sure they know that no one who wants to protect actual children is in support of this bill, and those who are in support of it have already announced plans to use it as a weapon.
