House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on Monday that while he likes the concept of the Kids Online Safety Act, he sees the details of the legislation as "very problematic."
"I love the principle, but the details of that are very problematic," Johnson told Punchbowl News on Monday morning.
Citing his concern, Johnson said that the legislation could lead to "unintended consequences." Newsmax was unable to reach Johnson's office for further comment.
Nonetheless, the Speaker share his remarks after the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced the bill in markup despite opposition from a minority of both Democrats and Republicans.
The Kids Online Safety Act was passed by the Senate late July in a 91 to 3 vote. According to The Hill, the bill's stated intention is to create regulations for social media and Big Tech companies that would curb any negative impact on the health of children or teens.
Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., co-authored the Senate version of the bill. Speaking on the legislation, Blackburn said last month, "We have found so many kids that are meeting these drug dealers online, and the precursors come from China into Mexico, and then the drug cartels bring it into the country. Over 100,000 Americans a year die."
Still, among the concerns from a few lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, is the bill's "duty of care" provision.
In a piece for Reason magazine written in August, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., stated that the bill's vagueness could lead to unforeseen consequences for free speech.
"This bill does not merely regulate the internet; it threatens to silence important and diverse discussions that are essential to a free society," Paul wrote. "And who is empowered to help make these decisions? That task is entrusted to a newly established speech police. This bill would create a Kids Online Safety Council to help the government decide what constitutes harm to minors and what platforms should have to do to address that harm. These are the types of decisions that should be made by parents and families, not unelected bureaucrats serving as a Censorship Committee."
Nick Koutsobinas ✉
Nick Koutsobinas, a Newsmax writer, has years of news reporting experience. A graduate from Missouri State University's philosophy program, he focuses on exposing corruption and censorship.