Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has reversed its stance on the Kids Online Safety Act, dropping its opposition to the bipartisan legislation that would force online platforms to protect minors from harmful content.

What KOSA actually does

The Kids Online Safety Act, commonly known as KOSA, imposes what lawmakers call a “duty of care” on online platforms. Companies like Meta would be legally obligated to build safeguards for users under 17, rather than simply promising to do better in blog posts and congressional testimony.

The bill previously passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Civil society organizations and state attorneys general have been among its most vocal advocates, arguing that voluntary self-regulation by tech companies has failed to meaningfully protect kids online.

KOSA has been in Congress since the 118th session, gathering momentum from parents, advocacy groups, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

A long history of resistance

Meta engaged multiple lobbyists to push back against the legislation. Snap, X, and Microsoft all publicly backed the bill, creating an unusual dynamic where Meta found itself increasingly isolated among its peers.

Internal research leaked in 2021 by whistleblower Frances Haugen showed that Instagram’s own researchers found the platform could be harmful to teenage mental health, particularly among girls.

Meta’s decision to drop its opposition comes as the bill has been undergoing revisions in late 2025 and early 2026.

The bill’s uncertain future

Recent revisions have diluted the duty-of-care language that formed the backbone of the original legislation. Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the bill’s champions, has criticized these changes, arguing they weaken the very provisions that give the law its teeth.

As of June 2026, KOSA remains in a state of legislative flux, with strong advocacy from various groups pushing for resolution, but the gap between the Senate version and the evolving House version represents a real obstacle to passage.

What this means for investors

Meta has already invested in parental controls and teen safety features. With Snap, X, and Microsoft already supporting KOSA, dropping opposition removes a talking point that competitors and regulators could use against the company.

It is worth noting that KOSA contains no provisions related to cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, or digital assets. For crypto investors watching regulatory developments in Washington, this particular bill doesn’t move the needle on digital asset policy.