119-HR-6289 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — 119-HR-6289 (Promoting a Safe Internet for Minors Act)

1) Headline Summary: A bipartisan House bill to boost online safety education for kids by tasking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to run a nationwide campaign and report back to Congress. [1]U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce — House Committee on Energy & Comme…

2) What It Does: The bill directs the FTC to coordinate a public-awareness and education program on safe internet use for minors, working with schools, nonprofits, state and local governments, industry, law enforcement, and medical professionals. It emphasizes sharing up‑to‑date best practices, promoting parental controls and other safety tools, and requires annual reports to Congress for 10 years. It defines a “minor” as under 17. In plain terms: it’s an education-and-outreach bill, not a new set of platform rules. (This builds on the FTC’s existing mandate under the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act to promote internet safety.) [2]Federal Trade Commission — Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act — FTC st…

3) Who’s For It:

• Sponsors: Rep. Laurel Lee (R‑FL) and Rep. Darren Soto (D‑FL). [1]U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce — House Committee on Energy & Comme…
• House Energy & Commerce leaders have slated a broader hearing on children’s online safety that includes this bill, signaling committee interest. [1]U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce — House Committee on Energy & Comme…
• Likely supporters (based on the bill’s focus): schools, parent groups, and child‑safety nonprofits that favor education and tool‑based approaches. (No formal endorsements publicly posted yet.)

4) Who’s Against It:

• No organized opposition is publicly documented yet.
• Potential critiques to watch: whether an education‑only approach is strong enough to reduce harms; whether efforts duplicate existing programs; and how effective federal campaigns are at reaching teens and parents.

5) What’s Next: The bill is in the House Energy & Commerce Committee and is included on a legislative hearing agenda on protections for children and teens online. After a hearing, it could see a subcommittee or full‑committee markup before any House floor vote. [1]U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce — House Committee on Energy & Comme…