Mothers’ Views on the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA)

In 2023, Count on Mothers conducted three studies on two landmark federal bills addressing children's safety on social media: the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Drawing on surveys of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, supplemented by an in-depth focus group, the studies captured firsthand views on minimum age requirements, algorithmic protections, data privacy, parental notification, and independent oversight of social media companies. Mothers showed near-universal cross-partisan support for both bills — with 96% saying KOSMA should become law and 98% supporting federal requirements to protect minors' data and remove addictive features. A consistent theme emerged: mothers view these bills not as a replacement for parental involvement, but as a structural safeguard for spaces families cannot monitor alone.

96% of mothers say KOSMA should become law, including 100% of very conservative and 95% of very liberal mothers.

98% support federal KOSA requirements for social media companies to protect minors' data, remove addictive features, and provide opt-out options.

93% support a minimum age of 13 for social media — with 100% support from very conservative mothers and 91% from very liberal.

96% support yearly independent audits of social media companies to evaluate risk to minors and compliance with the law.

97% support federal mandates to prevent and reduce harm to minors, including suicide prevention and protection from sexual exploitation.

Mothers support these bills as structural safeguards, not parental replacements. Across political ideology, mothers look to government — not individual families — to hold social media companies accountable.

Source: Count on Mothers, Mothers' Views on the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA), December 2023. Community panel surveys of U.S. mothers (n=318 on KOSMA, June 2023; n=263 on KOSA, October–November 2023) and a focus group with seven mothers across the political spectrum (November 2023). Research led by a PhD-credentialed researcher. Findings entered into the Congressional Record at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on child online safety, January 31, 2024.

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Count on Mothers conducts nationally representative research with U.S. mothers, weighted to reflect the population and reported in aggregate. Research is led by a PhD + MPH team. Findings have informed policy, industry, and media, and entered the Congressional Record on childcare, paid leave, and technology policy.

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