Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, discussed ongoing legislative efforts to protect children and teens from online harms in an op-ed published March 9 in the Washington Post. Guthrie said that while social media platforms continue to evolve, risks for young people remain a constant concern.
Guthrie emphasized the urgency of addressing mental health issues among youth linked to social media use. He said, “Anxiety, depression, loneliness and self-harm rates are sky-high among teens and children, demonstrating the dangerous effects of social media.” He called on Congress to take responsibility for holding technology companies accountable for their products.
The op-ed highlighted several bills advanced by congressional Republicans aimed at improving online safety for minors. Guthrie said, “That is why congressional Republicans are advancing meaningful legislation to protect kids, empower parents and guardians, and address the harms children and teens face online.” Among these measures is the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (Kids Act), which was recently approved by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. According to Guthrie, this act builds upon previous proposals by strengthening privacy protections and requiring age verification for adult content websites.
Guthrie also described additional legislation such as the App Store Accountability Act, which would require parental permission before minors can download apps or make digital purchases. Another proposal known as COPPA 2.0 seeks to update existing privacy laws by extending protections for teenagers and banning targeted advertising directed at children.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee plays a significant role in shaping policy related to energy, health care, environmental protection, telecommunications, and consumer issues according to its official website. The committee has influenced areas such as energy innovation, broadband deployment, and pharmaceutical pricing according to its official website. It is one of the oldest standing committees in the U.S. House of Representatives according to its official website, tracing its origins back to 1795 when it was formed as the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures according to its official website.
Guthrie concluded his remarks by stressing that recent legislative advances are only part of a broader effort: “By advancing this package of bills, we are one step closer to putting American families back on solid footing to make the best decisions about their digital well-being.”
