This bill, called the Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act, changes a subtitle of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. It directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to run a national program, within 180 days of enactment, to promote safe internet use by minors. The program must work with federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit groups, schools, industry, law enforcement, and medical professionals. The program must identify and promote best practices for educators, online platforms, minors, and parents or guardians; run an outreach and education campaign across the United States; share information about online harms and benefits affecting minors; and improve access to public online safety education and awareness efforts.
The bill also requires the FTC to submit a report describing these activities to two congressional committees starting one year after enactment and annually for 10 years. It adds definitions, including that a “minor” is an individual under age 17, and defines "online safety" to include protection from cybercrimes and adult content, preventing compulsive behavior and other harms to physical and mental health, and use of safeguards and parental controls.
No publicly available information on budget, funding sources, or estimated costs is included in the bill text.
The bill’s stated purpose is to promote online safety for minors by directing the FTC to carry out a public awareness and education campaign, share information on harms and benefits, and promote best practices and tools to protect minors online.
No publicly available information on opponents’ views or formal objections is included in the provided bill text or metadata.