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Dunedin Today
By the People, for the People
Congressman Pushes for Tighter Kids' Online Safety Rules
Palm Harbor's Rep. Gus Bilirakis leads federal effort, but Tampa's Rep. Kathy Castor says plan still has Big Tech loopholes
Published on Mar. 6, 2026
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Palm Harbor's congressman, Gus Bilirakis, is spearheading a major federal push to strengthen online safety protections for children, while Tampa Rep. Kathy Castor argues the proposed KIDS Act still leaves too many loopholes for big tech companies. Their clash highlights how lawmakers in the Tampa Bay region are shaping national policies around algorithms, social media design, and safeguards against online predators.
Why it matters
As children's online activity and exposure to social media continues to grow, there are increasing concerns about the mental health impacts and risks of predatory behavior. This legislation aims to address those issues, but the debate between Bilirakis and Castor shows there are still disagreements over how far the rules should go in regulating big tech companies.
The details
The KIDS (Kids Internet Design and Safety) Act, championed by Rep. Bilirakis, would impose new requirements on social media platforms and other online services to make their products safer for minors. This includes restrictions on algorithmic amplification of harmful content and design features that exploit children's psychology. However, Rep. Castor argues the bill still allows too many exceptions for tech companies and doesn't go far enough in protecting kids.
- Rep. Bilirakis has been working on the KIDS Act since early 2025.
- The bill was recently advanced by a House committee and is expected to see a full floor vote in the coming months.
The players
Gus Bilirakis
A Republican congressman representing Florida's 12th district, which includes Palm Harbor. He is the lead sponsor of the KIDS Act, aiming to tighten online safety rules for minors.
Kathy Castor
A Democratic congresswoman representing Florida's 14th district, which includes Tampa. She has criticized the KIDS Act for not going far enough in regulating big tech companies.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
What’s next
The KIDS Act is expected to receive a full House vote in the coming months, setting up a potential showdown with the Senate over the final details of the legislation.
The takeaway
This debate over the KIDS Act highlights the ongoing tensions between lawmakers' desire to protect children online and the tech industry's resistance to stricter regulations. The outcome could have significant implications for how social media platforms and other digital services operate in the future.
