Senate approves bill to protect children on the Internet

Following concerns about children’s interest in and use of social media, the U.S. Senate has approved a bill to protect them when they surf the Internet.

By a vote of 91 to 3, it was approved the first major legislation that forces the technology sector to be more responsible with the information it allows to flow through different platforms without taking into account the ease with which it ends up being available among minors.

Only three politicians opposed the project: Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon; Mike Lee, Republican of Utah; and Rand Paul, also Republican, but from Kentucky.

This way, The Children’s Internet Safety Act requires platforms to provide safeguards for minors, including restricting access to their personal data, as well as providing tools to parents to monitor their children’s use of the platforms.

Privacy control and account settings will also be restricted for minors.

The bill thus seeks to impose limits on features that encourage children and adolescents to remain on the platform for long periods.

With respect to The platforms will be obliged to provide minors with simple access options. to delete your account or personal data.

In the event that a minor is harmed as a result of using any platform, his or her parents will be empowered to file lawsuits against him or her.

With the aim of promoting addictions among children and adolescents, It is also prohibited to display advertisements on screens that include narcotics, tobacco products, gambling or alcohol.

The bill now needs approval by the House of Representatives, but lawmakers are on a parliamentary recess until September.

Nevertheless, Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said he was pleased that progress had been made.

“This is an exceptional day. The Senate has kept its promise to all the parents who have lost a child to the dangers of social media,” he said.

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