Stop Kids Online Safety Act - Tumblr Posts
Why do you always gotta say "or the internet will die forever" and stuff? Ain't that doomer behavior?
Well yes, but actually no.
It's just that I'm trying to get people to wake up and spread the word much, much faster; I mean, the USA wants to ban TikTok because a vocal group of people is using it to raise pro-Palestine awareness, this is just the beginning.
Oh, and before anyone says "Just use VPNs!", the US is also pushing another law to criminalize VPN usage where you could end up in jail for 20 years, as well as pay a $1million fine for your release, so it's useless to dance around the restrictions.
They blab about how much they cherish freedom of speech, but are actively attempting to silence others in the same breath and even willing to violate its own amendment to get even more minorities murdered.
This wouldn't be a problem if a crushing majority of the internet weren't US-based/centralized; even if you aren't from the United States, this draconian bill WILL majorly and totally affect you in one way or another.
And I would like to take this opportunity to tell everyone that I will NOT answer any more asks until I see more people reblogging the previous post. If you guys can interact with me, than you certainly can reblog/share the post informing of KOSA's threat (however, I did have programmed a post for March 22nd, because while I am scared for this blog's survival, I also wanna know if the crisis has been adverted).
So, I won't say it again: If you guys don't spread the word, this blog, as well as other blogs within this platform, and many other social networks, websites of informative/educational nature (LGBTQ+ subjects, pro-Palestine, abortion/reproductive healthcare, etc.) and even fandom-related spaces...
...WILL DIE.
EDIT: It's sweet that you guys are reblogging this ask of mine, but shouldn't you be reblogging THIS LINK DOWN HERE INSTEAD?
Sorry to be posting about KOSA again, I dislike getting involved in politics, but as a queer minor on the internet this is the one time i will.
I had a theory a while back that i considered withholding because it’s honestly really upsetting to think about. Realizing that it could even be a possibility hurt, and i’m sorry if it hurts you too.
I’ll keep it short. What if the governors who are trying to pass these bills know that cutting LGBTQ+ kids from information WILL encourage them to commit suicide, and they’re doing it to cleanse the “filth”? They’d have to find a roundabout way to end LGBTQ+’s future because they can’t just outright kill them.
I don’t know if it’s true, but it feels like it’d be pretty on-brand. Nevertheless, encouraging minors to off themselves in any way is RANCID, and even if they are trying to protect kids this is a shitty way to do that.
So how do we ACTUALLY keep minors safe on the internet?
TEACH THEM SHIT. Talk to them about how grooming happens, how to avoid getting into dangerous or illegal situations, how to be FUCKING KIND and MINDFUL, both because people are inclined to retaliate against rude comments even if they’re from children and because it’s just good to know how to be polite.
Wiping LGBTQ+ off the internet isn’t going to protect kids from a made-up threat of queer people brainwashing them into being gay. LGBTQ+ media isn’t going to make them gay either, because we grew up watching content with typical straight relationships and we still know who we are.
You know what i’ve seen firsthand? A little boy pretending to be trans like his big sibling. But that was okay, because at the end of the day he knew who he was.
Why do they think kids have no sense of their identity, and the notion that people can change their gender will immediately make them trans too? What significant damage will that do? Minors aren’t really allowed to get gender changing surgery besides puberty blockers so they can’t worry about kids “destroying” their bodies, and if they’re a functioning member of society then I don’t see the problem?? Maybe capitalism would benefit from accessible gender affirming care. Just sayin. More cash being circulated is better than a bunch of dead bodies :/
Sorry to be posting about KOSA again, I dislike getting involved in politics, but as a queer minor on the internet this is the one time i will.
I had a theory a while back that i considered withholding because it’s honestly really upsetting to think about. Realizing that it could even be a possibility hurt, and i’m sorry if it hurts you too.
I’ll keep it short. What if the governors who are trying to pass these bills know that cutting LGBTQ+ kids from information WILL encourage them to commit suicide, and they’re doing it to cleanse the “filth”? They’d have to find a roundabout way to end LGBTQ+’s future because they can’t just outright kill them.
I don’t know if it’s true, but it feels like it’d be pretty on-brand. Nevertheless, encouraging minors to off themselves in any way is RANCID, and even if they are trying to protect kids this is a shitty way to do that.
So how do we ACTUALLY keep minors safe on the internet?
TEACH THEM SHIT. Talk to them about how grooming happens, how to avoid getting into dangerous or illegal situations, how to be FUCKING KIND and MINDFUL, both because people are inclined to retaliate against rude comments even if they’re from children and because it’s just good to know how to be polite.
Wiping LGBTQ+ off the internet isn’t going to protect kids from a made-up threat of queer people brainwashing them into being gay. LGBTQ+ media isn’t going to make them gay either, because we grew up watching content with typical straight relationships and we still know who we are.
You know what i’ve seen firsthand? A little boy pretending to be trans like his big sibling. But that was okay, because at the end of the day he knew who he was.
Why do they think kids have no sense of their identity, and the notion that people can change their gender will immediately make them trans too? What significant damage will that do? Minors aren’t really allowed to get gender changing surgery besides puberty blockers so they can’t worry about kids “destroying” their bodies, and if they’re a functioning member of society then I don’t see the problem?? Maybe capitalism would benefit from accessible gender affirming care. Just sayin. More cash being circulated is better than a bunch of dead bodies :/
STOP KOSA
The thing about KOSA that makes me feel the worst is that I am helpless. I am not an American. I have no power to change the votes or reps. But the internet and social media are used by everyone.
Please. If you have the power. Email your representatives, vote against this bill.
Because so many of us don't have that power
If we lose the internet as it is now. We lose some of the most important resources we have in our modern day. Widespread information, online communities, connections to others that are different than us, online safety, understanding.
Movements like Free Palestine will be censored, LGBTQ topics and protection online will be exposed, we will lose millions of posts on these subjects.
Please, please, we don't have much time.
LINKS:
badinternetbills.com
https://x.com/lykoico_/status/1759459803691102549?s=46
https://x.com/lykoico_/status/1759459803691102549?s=46
stop KOSA
EFF
STOP KOSA
The thing about KOSA that makes me feel the worst is that I am helpless. I am not an American. I have no power to change the votes or reps. But the internet and social media are used by everyone.
Please. If you have the power. Email your representatives, vote against this bill.
Because so many of us don't have that power
If we lose the internet as it is now. We lose some of the most important resources we have in our modern day. Widespread information, online communities, connections to others that are different than us, online safety, understanding.
Movements like Free Palestine will be censored, LGBTQ topics and protection online will be exposed, we will lose millions of posts on these subjects.
Please, please, we don't have much time.
LINKS:
badinternetbills.com
https://x.com/lykoico_/status/1759459803691102549?s=46
https://x.com/lykoico_/status/1759459803691102549?s=46
stop KOSA
EFF
HEY EVERYONE THE KOSA ACT JUST GOT ENOUGH VOTES TO BE PASSED THROUGH SENATE!!! IT STILL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH A VOTE IN THE SENATE, BUT SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL HAVE CALLED THIS A MAJOR AMOUNT OF PROGRESS FOR THE BILL TO BE LAW. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE CHANGES TO THE ACT AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THIS BILL WILL MEAN.
The KOSA Act is a controversial bill that was proposed, known as the "TikTok Ban Bill," but affecting much more. The bill makes it so children under sixteen cannot go on the internet without some disturbing content being censored or outright blocked. Unfortunately, this means kids could be blocked from livesaving information on how to deal with abuse or similar topics. LGBTQ+ activists also worried that the way it was worded could make it possible for senators to censor gender or sexuality information, but in the newest revision this was corrected, although it would still allow federal and state officials to regulate online content for kids. It also would result in invasive age restrictions for apps that are unconstitutional, possibly needing birth certificates or IDs.
Source
HEY EVERYONE THE KOSA ACT JUST GOT ENOUGH VOTES TO BE PASSED THROUGH SENATE!!! IT STILL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH A VOTE IN THE SENATE, BUT SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL HAVE CALLED THIS A MAJOR AMOUNT OF PROGRESS FOR THE BILL TO BE LAW. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE CHANGES TO THE ACT AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THIS BILL WILL MEAN.
The KOSA Act is a controversial bill that was proposed, known as the "TikTok Ban Bill," but affecting much more. The bill makes it so children under sixteen cannot go on the internet without some disturbing content being censored or outright blocked. Unfortunately, this means kids could be blocked from livesaving information on how to deal with abuse or similar topics. LGBTQ+ activists also worried that the way it was worded could make it possible for senators to censor gender or sexuality information, but in the newest revision this was corrected, although it would still allow federal and state officials to regulate online content for kids. It also would result in invasive age restrictions for apps that are unconstitutional, possibly needing birth certificates or IDs.
Source
HEY EVERYONE THE KOSA ACT JUST GOT ENOUGH VOTES TO BE PASSED THROUGH SENATE!!! IT STILL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH A VOTE IN THE SENATE, BUT SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL HAVE CALLED THIS A MAJOR AMOUNT OF PROGRESS FOR THE BILL TO BE LAW. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE CHANGES TO THE ACT AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THIS BILL WILL MEAN.
The KOSA Act is a controversial bill that was proposed, known as the "TikTok Ban Bill," but affecting much more. The bill makes it so children under sixteen cannot go on the internet without some disturbing content being censored or outright blocked. Unfortunately, this means kids could be blocked from livesaving information on how to deal with abuse or similar topics. LGBTQ+ activists also worried that the way it was worded could make it possible for senators to censor gender or sexuality information, but in the newest revision this was corrected, although it would still allow federal and state officials to regulate online content for kids. It also would result in invasive age restrictions for apps that are unconstitutional, possibly needing birth certificates or IDs.
Source
HEY EVERYONE THE KOSA ACT JUST GOT ENOUGH VOTES TO BE PASSED THROUGH SENATE!!! IT STILL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH A VOTE IN THE SENATE, BUT SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL HAVE CALLED THIS A MAJOR AMOUNT OF PROGRESS FOR THE BILL TO BE LAW. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS ABOUT THE CHANGES TO THE ACT AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THIS BILL WILL MEAN.
The KOSA Act is a controversial bill that was proposed, known as the "TikTok Ban Bill," but affecting much more. The bill makes it so children under sixteen cannot go on the internet without some disturbing content being censored or outright blocked. Unfortunately, this means kids could be blocked from livesaving information on how to deal with abuse or similar topics. LGBTQ+ activists also worried that the way it was worded could make it possible for senators to censor gender or sexuality information, but in the newest revision this was corrected, although it would still allow federal and state officials to regulate online content for kids. It also would result in invasive age restrictions for apps that are unconstitutional, possibly needing birth certificates or IDs.
Source
I cannot stress enough how dangerous KOSA is.
killing safe spaces endangers people's lives. many minors and people in marginalized groups losing online friends and spaces can and will kill many people's happiness and in the worst case, the will to live.
I personally keep going because of my online friends. I will lose them if KOSA passes.
this is the same case for many minors (and adults) online.
censoring sexual health will be terrible for many. if there are people out there having sex without knowing the proper safety precautions to take to prevent injury/illness, it will be massively horrific.
all outcry for a ceasefire in Palestine and activism will be censored to oblivion.
if there are people who live in unsafe households, they might never be able to find safety until they become adults, which is far too late.
KOSA is a sick attempt to make the internet a place where there are few ways to be safe.
stop KOSA. it will literally save fucking lives.
sign petitions to stop it. please. spread awareness.
I cannot stress enough how dangerous KOSA is.
killing safe spaces endangers people's lives. many minors and people in marginalized groups losing online friends and spaces can and will kill many people's happiness and in the worst case, the will to live.
I personally keep going because of my online friends. I will lose them if KOSA passes.
this is the same case for many minors (and adults) online.
censoring sexual health will be terrible for many. if there are people out there having sex without knowing the proper safety precautions to take to prevent injury/illness, it will be massively horrific.
all outcry for a ceasefire in Palestine and activism will be censored to oblivion.
if there are people who live in unsafe households, they might never be able to find safety until they become adults, which is far too late.
KOSA is a sick attempt to make the internet a place where there are few ways to be safe.
stop KOSA. it will literally save fucking lives.
sign petitions to stop it. please. spread awareness.
I cannot stress enough how dangerous KOSA is.
killing safe spaces endangers people's lives. many minors and people in marginalized groups losing online friends and spaces can and will kill many people's happiness and in the worst case, the will to live.
I personally keep going because of my online friends. I will lose them if KOSA passes.
this is the same case for many minors (and adults) online.
censoring sexual health will be terrible for many. if there are people out there having sex without knowing the proper safety precautions to take to prevent injury/illness, it will be massively horrific.
all outcry for a ceasefire in Palestine and activism will be censored to oblivion.
if there are people who live in unsafe households, they might never be able to find safety until they become adults, which is far too late.
KOSA is a sick attempt to make the internet a place where there are few ways to be safe.
stop KOSA. it will literally save fucking lives.
sign petitions to stop it. please. spread awareness.
I cannot stress enough how dangerous KOSA is.
killing safe spaces endangers people's lives. many minors and people in marginalized groups losing online friends and spaces can and will kill many people's happiness and in the worst case, the will to live.
I personally keep going because of my online friends. I will lose them if KOSA passes.
this is the same case for many minors (and adults) online.
censoring sexual health will be terrible for many. if there are people out there having sex without knowing the proper safety precautions to take to prevent injury/illness, it will be massively horrific.
all outcry for a ceasefire in Palestine and activism will be censored to oblivion.
if there are people who live in unsafe households, they might never be able to find safety until they become adults, which is far too late.
KOSA is a sick attempt to make the internet a place where there are few ways to be safe.
stop KOSA. it will literally save fucking lives.
sign petitions to stop it. please. spread awareness.
No more KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act)
I am a minor, and I'm speaking from experience.
Without the internet as it is, I would:
Have committed suicide
Be friendless
Not be able to start my career early
Not be able to share my artwork and writing
Get help
First, LGBTQIA+ concern:
I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community as a young minor. I identify as a genderless AroAce (which is uncommon, but part of the community). Without being able to explain who I was, I would have felt alone, an outcast among girls (as my original gender), and felt like something was wrong with me. And I would not have been able to explain my romantic and sexual attraction. I would have been pretty much forced into a relationship when I will be older, but identifying as AroAce helps me avoid those questions. I could have had the inconvenience of a boyfriend (because what would be gay? I would be forced into a straight relationship). I learned about sex and how to stay safe with it ON THE INTERNET. Along with orientations and genders. There are so many teen pregnancies that fuck up people's possible future careers, all because they didn't know how to practice safe sex or even the possibility of not being attracted to people in the first place!
Second, mental health:
I have Autistic friends, most of them are from the internet. I only know the symptoms and problems with Autism. Without the internet, I could have felt like an outcast between my peers without explanation. Knowing about Autism (and other disabilities and disorders) and its symptoms is a valuable tool, it could help you interact with people with those who have it, or find out if YOU might have it.
I would've committed suicide. I have many friends on the internet. And without them. I would be friendless. Without support. I would've felt lonely. My irl friends rarely text me, so one summer break I almost committed suicide. But at the time I almost committed it, I texted my online friend who lives on the other side of the Earth. And she was there for me when no one else was, when I was sad, and about to kill myself. Without the internet, I would have never met her. And without her, I would have literally died. I now have many wonderful friends on the internet, and they all help me be who I am, and stay here with you, so that I can now speak.
Third, my career:
The reason I have Tumblr, is so that I can show myself. I can post about art, interests, projects, and so on. I can reblog other peoples' art and learn from them. Without Tumblr (and other social media), I would have never been able to put myself out there. Right now I have 35 followers on my main blog, and some other followers on my smaller blogs. I can build a following, so finally when I get a job, I can say "Hey! Look at me: People know me, they like my art, they support me." And support helps. I can start a YouTuber channel and show myself and also get money from it. I can jumpstart my career here.
Thank you. Any questions or clarifications would be appreciated. I am now done speaking from my experience so far, use this however you'd like.
No more KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act)
I am a minor, and I'm speaking from experience.
Without the internet as it is, I would:
Have committed suicide
Be friendless
Not be able to start my career early
Not be able to share my artwork and writing
Get help
First, LGBTQIA+ concern:
I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community as a young minor. I identify as a genderless AroAce (which is uncommon, but part of the community). Without being able to explain who I was, I would have felt alone, an outcast among girls (as my original gender), and felt like something was wrong with me. And I would not have been able to explain my romantic and sexual attraction. I would have been pretty much forced into a relationship when I will be older, but identifying as AroAce helps me avoid those questions. I could have had the inconvenience of a boyfriend (because what would be gay? I would be forced into a straight relationship). I learned about sex and how to stay safe with it ON THE INTERNET. Along with orientations and genders. There are so many teen pregnancies that fuck up people's possible future careers, all because they didn't know how to practice safe sex or even the possibility of not being attracted to people in the first place!
Second, mental health:
I have Autistic friends, most of them are from the internet. I only know the symptoms and problems with Autism. Without the internet, I could have felt like an outcast between my peers without explanation. Knowing about Autism (and other disabilities and disorders) and its symptoms is a valuable tool, it could help you interact with people with those who have it, or find out if YOU might have it.
I would've committed suicide. I have many friends on the internet. And without them. I would be friendless. Without support. I would've felt lonely. My irl friends rarely text me, so one summer break I almost committed suicide. But at the time I almost committed it, I texted my online friend who lives on the other side of the Earth. And she was there for me when no one else was, when I was sad, and about to kill myself. Without the internet, I would have never met her. And without her, I would have literally died. I now have many wonderful friends on the internet, and they all help me be who I am, and stay here with you, so that I can now speak.
Third, my career:
The reason I have Tumblr, is so that I can show myself. I can post about art, interests, projects, and so on. I can reblog other peoples' art and learn from them. Without Tumblr (and other social media), I would have never been able to put myself out there. Right now I have 35 followers on my main blog, and some other followers on my smaller blogs. I can build a following, so finally when I get a job, I can say "Hey! Look at me: People know me, they like my art, they support me." And support helps. I can start a YouTuber channel and show myself and also get money from it. I can jumpstart my career here.
Thank you. Any questions or clarifications would be appreciated. I am now done speaking from my experience so far, use this however you'd like.
So apparently KOSA (2024 edition) is getting either thrown out until next year or put into effect in six days.
Update that's going in the main post at the top: it has enough support to pass.
It failed the last two times because people were voting against it.
This time, KOSA has traction among the pro-LGBTQ parties. Because nobody is fucking calling their bullshit and screaming from the rooftops that calling it the "Kids Online Safety Act" is misleading.
What will it passing do?
Nothing much, only prevent any education on LGBTQIA+ (it's that stupid fucking argument about us grooming kids again), shut down nearly every fandom space on the internet, and make it required for most big tech companies to have your ID.
Want to have resources for kids to discover their identity readily available? Yes? Then fucking speak up against this stupid fucking bill.
Fandom spaces like Tumblr, Twitter (? I thought the MAGA assholes liked Musk?), Tiktok, Archive Of Our Own, and any other website that hosts fanfic or fanart? Either shut down permanently, forced to uproot to a different country and down for a while (best case scenario, and they likely won't be able to send any data, and therefore fanfics, to the US), or gutted so that you only get to put G rated cishet ships on there, if any shipping at all. How to avoid that? I've already said it: Call your fucking representatives.
Want to avoid the fucking dystopic task of being legally obligated to give big tech your government issue ID? Again, cause an uproar. Call your goddamned representatives.
If they can pass this, the ripple effects could be catastrophic.
So, for fuck's sake, any Americans that can impact this stupid fucking bill and see this? Do everything in your power to shut it down because you have until February twenty sixth (26th) to send this bill back to where it belongs.
And if you can't do that? Reblog, copy my tags, and boost the signal.
Sorry not sorry for ranting, making you scroll through that, and swearing a probably excessive amount, but KOSA is a bill with a GLOBAL IMPACT being passed by ONE COUNTRY because some old people are scared of two guys with who were told they were girls kissing within five hundred miles of a child. Fuck this shit, I shouldn't have to worry about bad bills in America but I fucking do because I use the internet and would like to avoid mass censorship. Fuck this, fuck conservatives, and fuck the fact that some boomers make your country's policies.
Now, if you won't mind me, I'm going to be up until three in the morning downloading fanfiction or copying and pasting them into a a text file if I can't so I can read them by the end of the week.
Some quotes I have from people speaking out against KOSA, please reblog, tag people, cross-post on other platforms, and share with everyone you can, all quotes are fair use <3
“This law is a scam, created with the express purpose of persecuting LGBTQ+ people and silencing victims of abuse. That is the only possible outcome of these kinds of bills.
Oppose them on principle. Be skeptical whenever they are even brought-up.
This isn’t about safety—it is a takeover of THE major avenue to disseminate information in the modern world. It is more than censorship, it defines the avenues that thought may even take.
It will lead to identity verification companies like Clear or ID.me getting more of people’s private data and guaranteed, exclusive government contracts for surveillance and data collection, in violation of the spirit of the 4th Amendment, if not the letter.
It is also an absolute certainty that conservatives in positions of authority will use this program to persecute LGBTQ+ people, with the force of the State, under the guise of protecting children from pornography and "grooming". It has been an explicit misdirection tactic the right has invented to poison debate on trans rights issues and the (unconnected) growing evidence of sexual impropriety among the powerful, particularly conservatives.
Furthermore, I and most others will not abide by this law, if it is passed, and will take whatever actions necessary to safeguard our personal information via VPN, encryption, onion networking, etc., regardless of their permissibility.”
“This is a violation of basic rights on the Internet. Whatever happened to Freedom of Speech? Or are we just gonna ignore a literal Amendment in favor of “protecting the American children" while many of those children are the ones against this??”
“having full privacy on the internet may have saved my life growing up. don’t take away kid’s privacy, there’s already perfectly reasonable ways for parents to monitor kids.”
“I think that people have a right to privacy online, especially children. This doesn't seem like a bill that would actually protect children from anything, it would just make important resources more difficult to access, increase censorship online, and increase surveillance, all of which I oppose.”
“There are three things you never give out on the internet for your safety. 1) Name, 2) Face, and 3) Home. This bill guarantees that all three will be easily available to those who wish to hurt the children this bill falsely claims to protect. If you actually care about children, stop this bill. Listen to what those of us that actually use the internet are telling you. Children and adults deserve a private, anonymous space to be.”
“i'm a queer teen and i know full well the importance online spaces have in supporting lgbtq+ youth, especially ones who don't have supportive environments in person. censorship doesn't actually erase the information, it just makes it harder to access.”
“I’m writing to urge you to reject the Kids Online Safety Act, a misguided bill that would put vulnerable young people at risk.
KOSA would fail to address the root issues related to kid’s safety online. Instead, it would endanger some of the most vulnerable people in our society while undermining human rights and children’s privacy. The bill would result in widespread internet censorship by pressuring platforms to use incredibly broad “content filters” and giving state Attorneys General the power to decide what content kids should and shouldn’t have access to online. This power could be abused in a number of ways and be politicized to censor information and resources.
KOSA would also likely lead to the greater surveillance of children online by requiring platforms to gather data to verify user identity.
There is a way to protect kids and all people online from egregious data abuse and harmful content targeting: passing a strong Federal data privacy law that prevents tech companies from collecting so much sensitive data about all of us in the first place, and gives individuals the ability to sue companies that misuse their data.
KOSA, although well-meaning, must not move forward. Please protect privacy and stop the spread of censorship online by opposing KOSA.”
“Censorship doesn't keep kids safe. Censorship does not save abused children. Censorship does not save queer children. Censorship will not save any of us. Freedom for us all. Freedom for the internet. This shit cannot stand.”
“This bill is a massive overreach on civil liberties and freedom of speech in particular. It should not be within the government's purview to determine what content is acceptable, no matter which party is in power.”
“As we all know, the major threats to American children today are books, bathrooms, and the Internet.
Not getting shot in their own schools or attacked on their own streets.
Since graduating from the public school system in 2007, I haven't seen anything from elected officials to contradict this.”
“KOSA is a censorship bill in sheep’s clothing. It would erode Americans’ rights to privacy, especially that of vulnerable and marginalized Americans, and gather information about the whereabouts and identities of the children it play-acts at “protecting”.”
“This is a ridiculous law
KOSA is a giant bill that is pretending to be about child safety, but is actually overreaching government censorship. It is a violation of free speech and the 1st amendment.
This bill would require that internet users upload their government ID to access any site, and state attorney generals could sue to remove any site that contains content deemed "harmful" to children. The government will be able to censor ANYTHING - such as abortion info, LGBTQ+ resources, and any content relating to protesting or organizing. They will also be able to ID you if you search for any of these topics. This is the opposite of a free internet!”
“The law is pretty much just a trojan horse for censorship.”
“frankly i dont want to be put on a list the gov has of every queer person who opposes their anti-lgbt laws”
“I care about actually helping people instead of making a bill that is going to kill any ability for anyone to get help. That is going to be used to police anyone who disagrees with the absolute mess everything is right now. The conservative morals don’t allow for anyone not white, cuz, straight, or male; and I won’t have that enforced on the fucking public forum.”
IMPORTANT: KOSA MASTERPOST
Please, don't just scroll past! Share, reblog, and check out the content on these links! I will be adding things as I find (so make sure you reblog the original post, you can do this by clicking on my name and going to the pinned post which is this!!) and/or as the situation changes, and if there are resources you want to see added, send them to me.
LATEST UPDATES: HERE (as of 5/1/24)
INFORMATION
What happens if KOSA passes?
What's at stake?
KOSA isn't designed to help kids.
How will KOSA passing affect you?
KOSA is a privacy nightmare.
Banning kids from social media isn't the answer.
American Action Forum
90+ LGBTQ organizations oppose KOSA
Popular Apps affected by KOSA
Rally for the Internet Archive
KOSA changes don't make it less dangerous
Senate Schedule
Current KOSA status (sign up to get alerts from this if you're able!)
KOSA will actively target trans and LGBTQ+ content
The TikTok ban isn't about China, it's the fact that it's largely pro-palestine and has other content the government doesn't want us talking about.
KOSA applies to EVERYONE here.
Israel is revealed to be behind the infamous Tiktok ban
Read the bill itself
Call Script for KOSA
An actually helpful alternative
RESOURCES
Huge list of resources
Tell Congress
Tell Lizzo
Linktree
Bad Internet Bills
StopKOSA.com
Petition - we need 35k signatures and we're almost there!
Contact list
Fight for the future
Speak out against KOSA
Censorship won't make kids safe
Internet red alert
EFF Action Center
More Petitions List (check and sign as many as you can!)
Fight against the TikTok ban as well
Another petition - 123,000/130,000 signatures
Share your story of how social media has helped you
Help keep the ACP alive
Another masterpost
WHERE ELSE CAN YOU FIND MORE RESOURCES?
The Stop Internet Censorship discord server has a ton of useful resources that I pulled from some of to make this post, even. Following and looking at tags like #stop kosa will help make sure you stay informed and they stay trending, as well.
EVERYTHING HELPS!! Let's make sure this bill doesn't pass! Reblogs > likes!!
last updated: 8:18 pm EST, 5/9/24
So apparently KOSA (2024 edition) is getting either thrown out until next year or put into effect in six days.
Update that's going in the main post at the top: it has enough support to pass.
It failed the last two times because people were voting against it.
This time, KOSA has traction among the pro-LGBTQ parties. Because nobody is fucking calling their bullshit and screaming from the rooftops that calling it the "Kids Online Safety Act" is misleading.
What will it passing do?
Nothing much, only prevent any education on LGBTQIA+ (it's that stupid fucking argument about us grooming kids again), shut down nearly every fandom space on the internet, and make it required for most big tech companies to have your ID.
Want to have resources for kids to discover their identity readily available? Yes? Then fucking speak up against this stupid fucking bill.
Fandom spaces like Tumblr, Twitter (? I thought the MAGA assholes liked Musk?), Tiktok, Archive Of Our Own, and any other website that hosts fanfic or fanart? Either shut down permanently, forced to uproot to a different country and down for a while (best case scenario, and they likely won't be able to send any data, and therefore fanfics, to the US), or gutted so that you only get to put G rated cishet ships on there, if any shipping at all. How to avoid that? I've already said it: Call your fucking representatives.
Want to avoid the fucking dystopic task of being legally obligated to give big tech your government issue ID? Again, cause an uproar. Call your goddamned representatives.
If they can pass this, the ripple effects could be catastrophic.
So, for fuck's sake, any Americans that can impact this stupid fucking bill and see this? Do everything in your power to shut it down because you have until February twenty sixth (26th) to send this bill back to where it belongs.
And if you can't do that? Reblog, copy my tags, and boost the signal.
Sorry not sorry for ranting, making you scroll through that, and swearing a probably excessive amount, but KOSA is a bill with a GLOBAL IMPACT being passed by ONE COUNTRY because some old people are scared of two guys with who were told they were girls kissing within five hundred miles of a child. Fuck this shit, I shouldn't have to worry about bad bills in America but I fucking do because I use the internet and would like to avoid mass censorship. Fuck this, fuck conservatives, and fuck the fact that some boomers make your country's policies.
Now, if you won't mind me, I'm going to be up until three in the morning downloading fanfiction or copying and pasting them into a a text file if I can't so I can read them by the end of the week.
GET KOSA TRENDING.
STOP SCROLLING NOW!
AS OF FEBRUARY 21ST, 2024, WE GOT FIVE DAYS UNTIL THE DAY OF DECISION OF THE KOSA BILL, WHICH WILL CAUSE MASS CENSORSHIP ROUND THE INTERNET IF PASSED. WE NEED EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND CONTRIBUTE. I'M NOT GIVING UP ON YOU ALL.
(IMPORTANT UPDATE: Kosa will not necessarily pass on the 26th. It only has the support to pass in Senate, and we STILL HAVE TIME. That being said, time is of the essence.)
WE'RE DOWN TO THE WIRE BUT WE CAN'T GIVE UP YET. IF WE GIVE UP, EVERYTHING IS OVER. IF WE DON'T, AT LEAST WE HAVE A CHANCE.
I'M THE ONE WHO SOUNDED THE ALARM, AND I'M NOT GOING TO CURL UP AND DIE YET.
Reblog this post in every LEGAL way you can under the Tumblr guidelines with the appropriate tags. TELL AND TAG EVERYONE YOU KNOW, then add the tags to see below... and more if you can think of any complying.
Visit badinternetbills.com if you want to find a way to defeat KOSA. It WILL NOT take much of your time. Reblog with any other information or sources, too-- but make sure to reblog if you can.
Reblog if you support lgbtq+ content.
Reblog if you support questioning queer youth and/or abused youth getting the information they need.
Reblog if you support Ao3 and/or other sites that wholeheartedly preserve talentedly made media.
Reblog if you're going to repost this on other sites than Tumblr and spread the word across Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest, or elsewhere, alongside the link to badinternetbills.com.
Reblog if you think KOSA is unfair and shouldn't be anyone's problem -- including the adults ALL OVER THE DAMN EARTH forced to face the mass censorship it causes because "think of the American Children!".
Reblog if you support internet activism and Palestine.
Reblog if you hate fascism or censorship, and don't want actually serious and helpful conversations censored on the internet.
Reblog if you value the internet in any way at all whatsoever.
CHECK THIS PETITION, TOO! https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-kosa?recruiter=1331807538&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf&recruited_by_id=57368c40-d0fd-11ee-98f7-2175430f819f&share_bandit_exp=initial-36809664-en-US
(Also, please reblog with at least "stop kosa" as a tag and not "kosa". I made the mistake of not adding just "kosa" as a tag...)
We won't let this stand any longer. Let's start a riot and get this trending.