KOSA’s supporters are claiming that the latest version addresses concerns from the LGBTQ community, and a few LGBTQ organizations (including GLAAD and HRC) have endorsed this version, but don’t be fooled: the dozens of LGBTQ and human rights organizations who have been opposing KOSA were not consulted about these changes and so while there are improvements, it’s still far from sufficient. This article’s EFF’s take on the amended version. TL;DR summary:
- LGBTQ+ Youth will be at risk of having content, educational material, and their own online identities erased.
- Young people searching for sexual health and reproductive rights information will find their search results stymied.
We are asking everyone reading this to oppose this latest version, and to demand that their representatives oppose it—even if you have already done so.
Dangerous Kids Online Safety Act
It’s surely a sign that I’m much too tired, but initially I read this as the name of the act, and it made me go “what are they trying to stop dangerous kids doing online?” After rereading it, the actual meaning of the title became clear. But as the recent murder of Brianna Ghey shows, dangerous kids being online is a problem that needs to be addressed at some point.