HR-6289-119
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Sponsored by Laurel Lee (R-FL)
What it does
This bill would amend the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act to replace existing online safety provisions with a new public awareness and education program. It would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in partnership with other federal agencies, state and local governments, schools, nonprofits, industry, and law enforcement, to launch a nationwide program within 180 days promoting safe internet use by minors under age 17. The FTC would also be required to submit annual reports to Congress for 10 years describing the program's activities.
Who benefits
Minors under age 17 who may gain access to better online safety resources and education. Parents and guardians who would receive guidance on parental controls and protective tools. Schools and educators who would receive best-practice frameworks. Nonprofit organizations focused on child safety that could partner with the FTC and receive facilitated access to federal resources. State and local governments that would gain a federal coordination partner. Law enforcement agencies that could benefit from coordinated public awareness efforts around cybercrimes targeting minors.
Who is hurt
Online platforms and tech industry participants who may face reputational or regulatory pressure from FTC-identified "best practices," even without formal rulemaking. Taxpayers who would bear the cost of the program and 10 years of annual reporting, though no specific appropriation is included in the bill text. Existing online safety programs or contractors whose current work under the replaced sections (211–214 and 216) would be discontinued or restructured. Minors aged 17, who fall outside the bill's definition of "minor" (under 17), and would not be covered by the program.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that children face escalating online risks — including exposure to narcotics, gambling, adult content, and compulsive platform design — and that a coordinated federal education campaign is a measured, non-coercive response. They contend that updating the 1998 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act framework with a modern, multi-stakeholder outreach program reflects the dramatic expansion of internet use among children since the law was first enacted, and that annual congressional reporting ensures accountability without creating new regulatory burdens on industry.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that the bill replaces existing statutory provisions with a program that lacks dedicated funding, enforceable standards, or measurable outcomes — making it largely symbolic. They contend that a voluntary awareness campaign does nothing to address the structural incentives of online platforms to maximize minor engagement, and that without binding rules or penalties, the bill may give the appearance of action while leaving children exposed to the same documented harms that motivated the legislation.
Constitutional context
Congress has broad authority to direct federal agencies to conduct public education campaigns under the Commerce Clause (Art. I, §8, cl. 3) and the Necessary and Proper Clause (Art. I, §8, cl. 18), particularly given the interstate nature of internet commerce. Because this bill does not delegate broad rulemaking authority to the FTC — it directs an education program, not binding regulations — it is unlikely to raise major questions doctrine concerns under West Virginia v. EPA (2022) or post-Chevron scrutiny under Loper Bright v. Raimondo (2024).
Checks and balances
Congress directs the FTC to run the program; the FTC must report annually to both the Senate Commerce Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee for 10 years, giving Congress ongoing oversight authority over the program's activities.
Historical precedent
The original Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (2008) established similar FTC-led online safety education programs, and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA, 1998) has served as the foundational federal framework for regulating online interactions with minors.