Congress should require device makers and platforms hosting age-restricted content to establish a “child flag” system to protect underage users.

To Do: Establish a “Child Flag” System for Age-Restricted Content

To Do: Establish a "Child Flag" System for Age-Restricted Content

Congress should pass a federal version of California’s Coogan Act.

To Do: Protect Child Performers and Influencers

Congress should increase funding for law enforcement training and investigations to keep children safe online.

To Do: Increase Funding to Fight CSAM

The FTC should update its rule on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to reflect technological changes since the rule was last updated in 2013.

To Do: Update COPPA

Congress should provide more funding for research and testing of photo-based AI age estimation and direct NIST to conduct an up-to-date empirical evaluation of age estimation algorithms and their accuracy.

To Do: Research AI Age Estimation

Watch now for a panel discussion on children's online safety legislation and the roles that parents, corporations, and regulators must play in shaping the future of children’s digital experiences.

How Should Congress Keep Children Safe Online?

While increasing children’s online safety and privacy are important goals, it is important not to infringe on others’ rights, or children’s own rights, in the process.

Comments Before the European Commission Regarding the Digital Services Act

Congress should establish a bipartisan U.S. Digital Single Market Commission to draft legislation to foster a single digital market in the United States.

To Do: Foster a Digital Single Market in the United States

View ITIF's panel discussion on whether and how the FTC or Congress should update COPPA to protect children’s privacy while increasing the quality and quantity of online services for children.

To Do: Make Parental Controls Interoperable

Recommendation

Details

Editors’ Recommendations

How to Address Children’s Online Safety in the United States

Related

To Do: Establish a “Child Flag” System for Age-Restricted Content

To Do: Protect Child Performers and Influencers

To Do: Increase Funding to Fight CSAM