New Jersey AG Pushes Congress to Strengthen Online Child Safety
A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general says proposed federal changes could weaken protections for children on social media platforms.
Children are spending more time online than ever before, and state leaders across the country say Washington cannot afford to weaken protections now. Jennifer Davenport is urging Congress to reject changes to the federal Kids Online Safety Act that state officials believe could undermine laws already designed to protect minors from harmful social media practices.
The push comes as attorneys general from both Republican and Democratic states warn that social media platforms continue to expose young users to addictive features, harmful content, and aggressive data collection. A bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general has asked Congress to support the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act, commonly called KOSA, while opposing a House proposal they say would weaken state authority.
Why Attorneys General Are Raising Alarm
State officials argue that online platforms have moved faster than lawmakers for years. Apps designed to maximize engagement now dominate the daily lives of millions of teenagers.
According to the coalition letter, many platforms intentionally use addictive design features while collecting personal data from minors for advertising profits. Attorneys general say evidence increasingly shows companies understand the mental health risks tied to excessive social media use but continue using those same engagement tactics.
In a statement released with the coalition effort, New York Attorney General Letitia James said:
“Our young people continue to struggle with their mental health because of harmful social media features.”
That concern is shared across state lines. Attorneys general from states including New Jersey, Tennessee, Ohio, Connecticut, and Hawaii joined the bipartisan effort.
What Is the Kids Online Safety Act?
The Kids Online Safety Act is proposed federal legislation aimed at increasing protections for minors online. The Senate version of the bill includes several provisions state attorneys general strongly support.
Key parts of the Senate proposal include:
- A “Duty of Care” requiring platforms to act responsibly toward minors
- Expanded protections addressing suicide, eating disorders, compulsive use, and financial exploitation
- Stronger safeguards for children’s data
- Preservation of states’ rights to pass stronger protections locally
Attorneys general say those state protections matter because online threats continue evolving rapidly.
Why They Oppose the House Version
The House version of KOSA contains broader federal preemption language. In simple terms, that could prevent states from enforcing stronger child safety laws already on the books.
Officials warn that such changes would tie the hands of states that have already taken action against social media companies.
The coalition specifically argued that the House bill could:
- Override existing state child safety laws
- Limit future state regulation
- Reduce accountability for tech platforms
- Weaken protections already enacted at the state level
New Jersey’s Growing Focus on Online Harm
New Jersey has become increasingly active in efforts to regulate social media harms affecting children.
According to the state Attorney General’s office, New Jersey has filed lawsuits against companies including Meta, TikTok, and Discord over alleged harms to young users.
State officials argue these cases are part of a broader effort to address:
- Mental health concerns among teenagers
- Addictive social media algorithms
- Exploitation of minors’ personal data
- Exposure to harmful online content
The state says protecting children online has become a major enforcement priority.
The Debate Over Federal vs. State Control
Not everyone agrees on how far government regulation should go.
Critics of stronger federal online safety laws have raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and the impact on encrypted services. Some civil liberties groups worry that broad regulations could create unintended consequences or encourage excessive content moderation.
Technology companies have also argued that some proposals may create compliance burdens or affect innovation.
Still, supporters of the Senate bill say the current system has failed families for too long.
They argue that:
- Social media companies have repeatedly failed to self-regulate
- Parents often lack tools to protect children effectively
- Mental health risks tied to excessive social media use continue growing
- Federal standards should support—not replace—stronger state laws
The attorneys general coalition emphasized that states have often led the way on consumer protection and child safety online.
Why This Matters to Parents
For many parents, the debate is no longer theoretical.
Teen anxiety, depression, compulsive app use, cyberbullying, and exposure to dangerous content have become common concerns in households across the country. Public scrutiny of TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and other platforms has intensified over how their systems target younger users.
The coalition’s message to Congress is clear: federal legislation should strengthen protections for children, not weaken existing safeguards.
That debate is likely to grow more intense as lawmakers continue weighing the future of KOSA and other online safety bills in 2026.
What Happens Next?
Congress has not yet finalized the latest version of the Kids Online Safety Act. Attorneys general are urging lawmakers to adopt the Senate framework while rejecting provisions they believe would limit states’ authority.
The outcome could shape how social media platforms are regulated for years to come.
For families, educators, and child safety advocates, the stakes are high. The central question remains whether lawmakers can create meaningful protections for children while balancing privacy, free speech, and technological innovation.
As pressure mounts on Washington, state leaders are making it clear they do not want federal lawmakers rolling back protections they believe are already helping keep children safer online.
