Comment from Common Sense Media Founder and CEO Jim Steyer about U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Vote on Kids' Online Safety Bills
August 5, 2026—Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of the leading national nonprofit kids' online safety organization Common Sense Media, issued the following comment after the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved several bills to protect kids and teens from the risks associated with social media and AI:
"We applaud the Committee today for approving a very strong version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to protect kids and teens online from the known harms associated with major social media platforms. In front of survivor parents who have demanded congressional action to protect other families' children, on a bipartisan basis the Committee once again approved KOSA and sent a strong challenge to the House of Representatives to join the Senate in moving ahead with legislation that provides real online protections that kids and families need. We urge Congress, once and for all, to complete its work on this issue this year with a strong bill in both houses.
"We also appreciate the Committee beginning consideration of youth AI safety measures, and we will continue to work with senators to improve these measures to ensure they address the known risks of AI products. Meanwhile, the states continue to lead on kids' online safety across the country, on social media and AI, and we will continue our work in the states to provide every family the assurances of safety that they need."
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the research-backed information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the age of apps, algorithms, and AI. We rate, educate, and advocate to protect and prepare kids online. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users globally, over 1.4 million educators, and more than 100,000 schools worldwide every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.