What Laws Protect Children on the Internet?

Studies show that young people between the ages of 13 and 18 spend more than eight hours a day online. While on the internet, children are vulnerable to all sorts of dangers. Kids may stumble upon harmful content or fall victim to predators online. Unfortunately, there aren’t many laws that protect children from potential harm online.

Here, we’ll discuss the laws that protect children on the internet and explain your options as a parent of young children.

If your child has been the victim of an online predator, you should seek legal advice from a local attorney. You can take civil and criminal actions to protect your children from further harm. 

Children and Cyberbullying

Years ago, the only type of bullying parents had to worry about was in-person bullying. Perhaps the other kids at school pick on your child because they’re smaller than the rest of the class. Or your daughter may be dealing with “mean girls” who spread terrible rumors about other female students.

Today, parents have to concern themselves not only with real-life bullies but also with cyberbullying. "Cyberbullying" occurs when people use social media to tease, harass, embarrass, intimidate, or humiliate other kids.

Cyberbullying has become a big concern for parents and teachers. This is especially true in light of high-profile cases of cyberbullying-related deaths. There are state laws against this sort of behavior, but sadly, there are no federal laws prohibiting cyberbullying.

State Laws on Cyberbullying

While Congress has not yet passed legislation regarding cyberbullying, most states have. Nearly every state has passed laws criminalizing cyberbullying. The penalties for this behavior vary from state to state, and the actors subject to these laws also vary.

State laws generally address the following when it comes to cyberbullying:

• Cyberbullying or online harassment as a form of bullying
• Criminal penalties for cyberbullying or online harassment
• School penalties for cyberbullying
• Requirements for schools to have cyberbullying policies
• School penalties for off-campus instances of cyberbullying

For example, “David’s Law” in Texas applies to acts committed on and off school grounds. The Texas legislature named the law after a young man who committed suicide after becoming a victim of cyberbullying.

“David’s Law” requires schools to enact cyberbullying policies that address the following:

• Ways to notify parents of the alleged victim and the alleged bully
• Resources, including counseling and therapy options, for students involved in cyberbullying
• Procedures for anonymously reporting acts of cyberbullying

Chatting Online

When cell phones first became popular, they were typically used by adults who needed to stay in touch with people while at work or commuting. Over time, parents started buying cell phones and other electronic devices for their teenagers and young children.

The average age at which a person receives their first smartphone today is ten years old. This means that kids in elementary school are at risk of encountering a stranger or criminal online. Given the fact that few parents police their kids’ smartphone activity, it should come as no surprise that online predators often go undetected for months or years.

When children are online, they don’t stop to think that the person they’re chatting with could be dangerous. They don’t have the ability to know when a person may be dangerous, which puts them at a serious risk of harm. When their parents, teachers, or other authorities realize there’s a problem, it may be too late.

Children and Teens Are Vulnerable to Dangerous People Online

Chatting online can be especially risky for adolescents. For example, many apps, such as Snapchat, "hide" messages after a specific period. This makes it nearly impossible for parents to realize that their child is communicating with a dangerous element.

One of the greatest dangers to young people involves sexual exploitation from online predators. These predators lurk on social networking platforms under the guise of an innocent child or friend. They look for unsuspecting children to chat with and lure into dangerous real-life situations.

Parents should know the danger signs when chatting with strangers on social media platforms. They must teach their children these warning signs as well. Once a parent identifies the problem, they can contact the authorities for help.

Of course, it is important to take simple measures to protect children from online harm. For example, parents should set parental controls and age verification requirements on their children’s devices and report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement.

Legislation That Protects Children Online

While there are no federal laws on cyberbullying, that doesn’t mean there aren’t federal laws governing children’s online safety and privacy. Several pieces of legislation protect kids from online predators. We’ll discuss some of these below.

The Kids Online Safety Act

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) first introduced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) bill in April 2024. This law aims to protect children’s well-being online and address the growing mental health crisis among children and teenagers.

KOSA offers families transparency, tools, and safeguards to protect their kids from online threats. The bill would require social media platforms to focus on children’s safety by providing minors with options to safeguard their information, turn off addictive features, and opt out of algorithmic recommendations.

The bill also aims to hold social media platforms accountable by imposing a duty to mitigate harm to minors. Such harms include content promoting self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, and sexual exploitation. Additionally, the bill requires platforms to undergo an annual independent audit assessing risks to minors.

KOSA also aims to make "black box algorithms" transparent by granting academic researchers and non-profit organizations access to critical datasets from social media platforms. This will allow the study of potential harms to minors’ safety and well-being.

KOSA has not yet become law. The bill has stirred controversy with groups concerned with data collection and children’s privacy. As of May 2025, the bill is still pending.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

It’s one thing for your children to chat with people online. Learning that your children’s personal information is floating in cyberspace is another thing. The good news is that there are laws protecting your children’s online privacy.

In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) passed the “Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.” This act, or COPPA, regulates the collection and dissemination of private information about children under 13.

The law applies to online websites, social media companies, and other entities that have actual knowledge that young people use their services. For example, Instagram and TikTok know that people under 13 have social media accounts on their platforms. Therefore, these sites are subject to the rules and regulations of COPPA.

This privacy law also applies to companies that support online video games, streaming services, and other services.

What Happens if Someone Violates COPPA?

Companies or individuals who violate COPPA are subject to hefty fines and jail time. According to COPPA, violations of the law carry a penalty of up to $50,000 and up to six months in jail.

Technically, a violation of COPPA qualifies as an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

If you believe an online entity has violated this privacy law in some way, report it to the FTC. This agency is responsible for investigating claims and imposing punishments.

The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act was supposed to take effect in 2024. However, the court issued an injunction in March 2025 based on claims that the law violated the First Amendment’s right to free speech.

The California Attorney General’s Office filed an appeal in April 2025. If the law does take effect, it would require all tech companies offering online products and services to implement privacy and internet safety measures to protect users under 18.

How Can Law Enforcement Help Protect Your Child’s Online Safety?

Law enforcement agencies and the FBI can help protect your child’s online safety.

If you suspect your child is a victim of online harassment, cyberbullying, or exploitation, you can report the issue to your local police department or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, also provide resources and educational materials to help parents, teachers, and minors understand the risks of being online. These resources can help teach your kids how to protect their online activity.

If your child has been a victim of online exploitation, law enforcement agencies can give you referrals to counseling or other forms of online services your child needs.

Concerned About Your Kids’ Online Safety? An Attorney Can Help

Children visit so many online platforms that it can be hard to keep track. Many parents have no idea who their kids communicate with online.

Nobody has the right to threaten your children or use their personal data to cause them harm. You may have a legal claim against an individual, social media platform, or other online entity. Once you confirm that there is an issue, you contact an experienced cyberbullying attorney or civil claims lawyer.