U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, and New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez called on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting children online during a press conference held April 14.
The call for legislative action comes after recent jury decisions in New Mexico and California found that Meta misled users about platform safety and enabled sexual exploitation of young users, while also determining that Meta and Google negligently designed their platforms to be addictive to minors. These cases highlight ongoing concerns about the impact of social media companies on children’s well-being.
“Big Tech will not reform on its own. It has shown time and again that if given the choice, it will choose profits over people. But the dam is breaking. Lawsuits like those in New Mexico and California will keep on coming,” Durbin said. “If Big Tech companies are forced to face accountability and liability for the harm they do, they will change their behavior. Congress has to do its part to make that happen.”
Hawley said, “No amount of profit by the Big Tech companies justifies destroying the lives of America’s children. I don’t care how much money they give to their shareholders. It doesn’t justify destroying the lives, the futures, the hopes, and the dreams of our children. Big Tech’s profits are coming from the exploitation of children. And what we’re saying today is we’ve had enough.”
Torrez added: “New Mexico has led the fight to hold Big Tech accountable, and we are not slowing down... We need Congress to pass KOSA with a real duty of care, and sunset the outdated legal immunity that has allowed these companies to profit from the exploitation of children with no consequences.”
The proposed bills include Senator Lindsey Graham's Sunset Section 230 Act—which would repeal Section 230 two years after enactment—Durbin's bipartisan STOP CSAM Act targeting online child sexual abuse material (which passed committee unanimously), as well as KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act). The DEFIANCE Act addressing nonconsensual explicit images also awaits House consideration after passing in both July 2024 and January 2026.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a significant role in shaping federal law regarding constitutional protections and public safety through its legislative work according to its official website. The committee reviews legislation affecting civil rights nationwide according to its official website.
Chaired by a senator who oversees hearings with members from both major parties according to its official website, it holds authority over judicial matters across Washington D.C., impacting national policy according to its official website. Its oversight responsibilities extend broadly into judicial nominations as well as law enforcement activities according to its official website.
Looking ahead, advocates say further congressional action is needed so social media companies can be held accountable at a federal level.
