Google Urges US Parliament to Review Online Safety Laws for Children

Google rejects the policy of including identification from the government only to limit children's content (photo: dock. Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Google has responded to the Children's Online Safety Law, which was created to protect children from dangerous content on social media. However, this law has become quite controversial in America.

If the Child Online Safety Law is passed, the country will require all social media platforms to verify users' ages by uploading identification such as National Identity Cards (KTP). This rule is what Google is fighting against.

Google clearly rejects this rule. Even though the initial aim was to protect, the state actually prohibited teenagers from accessing useful information with the creation of this policy.

Therefore, Google released a Legislative Framework to Protect Children and Youth Online through its official website. The company is urging lawmakers to roll back the verification policy by proposing IDs.

"They (policymakers) must consider the broader impact of this law and avoid side effects such as blocking access to essential services, requiring people (including adults) to surrender unnecessary identification," said Google's President of Global Affairs and Alphabet, Kent Walker.

Google is willing to engage in a policy of keeping children off its online platforms, but when it comes to its users' sensitive personal information, it is strongly against it. For Google, privacy issues also need to be considered.

Google also asked parliament to reconsider the public's views on how best to protect children. They say the Children's Online Safety Act requires collaboration and support from a variety of organizations to produce sound decisions.

Meanwhile, through the document Legislative Framework for Protecting Children and Young People Online, Google expressed a number of views regarding appropriate policies in protecting children from harmful content.

Google feels that social media platforms should put children first when creating services and products. Additionally, the platform must provide appropriate and age-appropriate controls and features.

Although content must continue to be controlled, platforms must be able to maintain their benefits so that children can still access useful information. Google also emphasized that monitoring and accountability are very important to continue.