Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy passes bipartisan bill to increase online protections for children

The U.S. Senate passed landmark internet legislation Tuesday, including a bill by Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy requiring social media companies to do more to protect children who use their platforms.

Cassidy's and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Markey's updated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and the Kids Online Safety Act legislation passed together on a 91-3 vote.

"The internet is an integral part of children’s lives today; it is time our laws reflect this new reality,” Cassidy said. "These bills provide parents the tools to safeguard their kids online. I am proud to have authored COPPA 2.0, joined my colleagues in cosponsoring the Kids Online Safety Act, and getting these important bills across the finish line in the Senate. This will make a difference.”

It's unclear whether the House will take a vote on the legislation when it comes back from recess in September, though U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has been generally supportive. Still, the House will be focused on averting a government shutdown when it returns.

"The House has to pass this; I'm hoping Speaker Johnson and (Majority Leader Steve) Scalise (also of Louisiana) (advance) the legislation," Cassidy said in an interview Tuesday morning before the vote.

Among the tenets of Cassidy's bill:

∎ Prohibits internet companies from collecting personal information from users up to 17 years old;

∎ Ban targeted advertising to children and teens;

∎ Revise's COPPA’s “actual knowledge” standard to close the loophole that allows covered platforms to ignore kids and teens on their site;

∎ Create an “eraser button” by requiring companies to permit users to eliminate personal information from a child or teen when technologically feasible;

∎ Establish data minimization rules to prohibit the excessive collection of children and teens’ data.

"This is good for kids, good for parents," Cassidy said. "It gives parents the tools they need to safeguard their children's online experience."

More: Shreveport's Jerry Edwards makes history as first Black federal judge in Western District

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy passes bipartisan bill; this protect kids online