Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general on May 26 opposing the federal Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, known as the KIDS Act, arguing that the bill would weaken states’ ability to protect children online while shielding technology companies from accountability.
In a letter sent to Congressional leadership, Raoul and other attorneys general said the KIDS Act would broadly preempt state laws addressing online harms to minors. These include issues related to social media, obscenity, social gaming platforms, and artificial intelligence chatbots. The coalition urged Congress to instead support legislation that includes a meaningful duty of care requirement for online platforms.
“Instead of protecting our children and teens, the KIDS Act protects big tech from the appropriate oversight needed to actually protect young people from harm online,” Raoul said. “American children and teenagers are in the grip of a devastating mental health crisis, which is why I will continue to collaborate with fellow attorneys general to ensure technology companies take reasonable steps to protect our children online.”
The group expressed support for the U.S. Senate’s version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), S. 1748. This bill contains provisions requiring online platforms to act in minors’ best interests while allowing states authority to enforce stronger protections for children and teens. The coalition stated that passage of the KIDS Act could limit states’ ability to fully safeguard young people.
The letter follows ongoing investigations and litigation by Raoul and other attorneys general involving major social media platforms such as Meta and TikTok over allegations these companies target underage users or expose them to harm.
Raoul was joined by attorneys general from more than forty states and territories in filing this comment letter. The Illinois Attorney General has advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, and seniors; handled thousands of consumer complaints annually; aimed to promote safer communities; partnered with law enforcement; extended advocacy across Illinois; and offered services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights cases, according to the official website.
