Stop Profiling Youth and Kids Act; SPY Kids Act
Summary
The Stop Profiling Youth and Kids Act, or SPY Kids Act, aims to protect children and teens from market research practices on online platforms. It prohibits covered platforms from conducting market research on children under 13 and requires verifiable parental consent for teens between 13 and 17. The bill defines key terms such as 'covered platform,' 'design feature,' and 'personal information' to clarify its scope.
Expected Effects
This act would limit the ability of online platforms to collect and use data from children and teens for marketing purposes. It empowers parents with greater control over their children's online activity and data. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be responsible for enforcing the Act, and state attorneys general can also bring civil actions.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced privacy for children and teens online.
- Increased parental control over children's data.
- Reduced exposure to targeted advertising for young users.
- Potential decrease in manipulative design features on platforms.
- Clearer guidelines for online platforms regarding data collection from minors.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential limitations on platform innovation due to stricter regulations.
- Increased compliance costs for online platforms.
- Possible circumvention of parental consent requirements.
- Difficulty in verifying the age of users.
- Potential for reduced free content or services if advertising revenue declines.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The SPY Kids Act aligns with the spirit of protecting vulnerable populations, though the Constitution does not explicitly address data privacy. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, which includes online platforms. The First Amendment implications regarding freedom of speech and commercial speech need careful consideration, ensuring the restrictions are narrowly tailored to protect children without unduly infringing on free expression.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).