US Attorneys General Oppose House KIDS Act Over Child Online Safety Concerns

A coalition of 45 state attorneys general, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, has publicly opposed the U.S. House's Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act). The group argues that the bill would preempt existing state laws, weaken protections for minors online, and effectively shield major technology companies from accountability. They contend that provisions such as age‑verification for porn sites, mandatory parental controls for users under 17, a ban on disappearing messages for minors, and limited regulation of AI chatbots would do more to benefit Big Tech than to protect children.

Instead, the coalition backs the Senate‑crafted Kids Online Safety Act, which they say preserves state authority and adds a “duty of care” requirement requiring platforms to act in the best interests of minors. The attorneys general emphasized the need for stronger safeguards against harmful online content and the growing influence of AI chatbots on young users.