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Contributed commentary by Hannah Cox, president and co-founder of BASEDPolitics:
Recently, Sen. Marsha Blackburn outlined her vision for the new Congressional term, pledging to uphold Tennessee values while promoting President Donald Trump’s agenda. However, her stance on the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) raises significant concerns about government overreach, threatens free speech and diminishes parental authority.
While Sen. Blackburn claims KOSA will protect children from harmful content online, the bill grants the federal government even more power to regulate online platforms. By forcing companies to impose vague and restrictive content moderation policies, KOSA risks damaging free speech and fails to address the root causes of online torment, such as cyberbullying and exploitation. Instead of empowering families, KOSA undermines parents’ ability to decide whether content is “safe” for children, transferring that power to unelected federal regulators.
Blackburn’s assertion that KOSA will “ensure parents have the tools they need to protect their children in the virtual space” is misleading. Rather than empowering parents, KOSA places control in the hands of the government, allowing bureaucrats to dictate what content is appropriate for children. This does not, by definition, “finally hold Big Tech accountable.” Instead, it shifts control away from parents and towards federal supervision, negating her promise and leaving families at the mercy of government-defined interpretations of safety.
Anyone with a memory that dates back to the COVID-era of online censorship knows just how quickly the government will abuse that authority to block free speech it doesn’t like – all in the name of “public safety.”
KOSA’s most significant flaw is its pressure on companies to over-censor content by using vague standards regarding “harmful content.” This unintentionally limits access to information while permitting systemic causes of online harm. KOSA is an encroachment, not a solution parents and families deserve.
Instead of empowering families, KOSA strips parents of decision-making autonomy disguised as child protection. It gives control to federal regulators, contradicting Sen. Blackburn’s self-proclaimed commitment to “family values.” If she genuinely valued families, she would not advocate for policies that take control away from parents and give it to the federal government.
Empowering families to make informed decisions through parental controls and education is a more practical approach to protecting children online. By encouraging transparency and competition, Congress can find more tailored solutions that fit the needs of American families. Doubling down on government intervention – as KOSA does – infringes on individual liberties and stalls innovation. Lawmakers should prioritize solutions that respect personal freedoms and parental rights.
KOSA also takes away state-level oversight through attorneys general and other appropriate agencies. State governments are better equipped to address the unique needs of their communities instead of the federal government. True prosperity doesn’t come from top-down mandates but ingenuity and hard-working Tennesseans.
Tennessee families want more freedom from the government. While Sen. Blackburn often speaks of faith, family and opportunity, her views on KOSA run counter to these values.
With Congress’ new term underway, it’s time for lawmakers to prioritize American families by addressing online safety for children without government overreach. Rejecting KOSA’s approach is vital – the best solution is to empower parents with better tools to make informed decisions for their own family.
Hannah Cox