Republican attorneys general split with House party members over US social media bill

A group of Republican attorneys general has voiced opposition to a bipartisan bill in the U.S. House of Representatives designed to enhance online safety for children. The attorneys general argue that the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, which mandates parental controls and limits data collection on minors by platforms like TikTok and Meta, infringes upon states' rights to enact their own regulations.

In a letter released Tuesday, the attorneys general stated the bill "imperils the significant progress our jurisdictions have achieved on a wide array of tech issues." They contend the legislation does not adequately protect children while simultaneously undermining state-level efforts to regulate the digital space.

The stance reveals a notable rift within the Republican party on social media oversight. While some, like the attorneys general and senators such as Marsha Blackburn and Ted Cruz, advocate for greater platform accountability for harms to minors, others, including House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie, express concern that overly broad legislation could face legal challenges.

The signatories include Republican attorneys general from states like Tennessee, Alabama, and Utah, all of which have previously passed their own laws concerning minors' screen time. The opposition from these state officials underscores a complex debate over federal versus state authority in regulating the digital landscape for young people.

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The bill not only fails to meaningfully protect kids, but also, imperils the significant progress our jurisdictions have achieved on a wide array of tech issues.