How vote for 'free speech' helped Facebook and Instagram win a major fight on 'online child safety' bill

Facebook parent Meta has reportedly emerged victorious in a major battle in the US. The social media giant may have effectively stopped the proposed legislation over online child safety. According to a report by Politico, US Congress was recently adjourned without passing the Kids Online Safety Act. Despite widespread agreement that Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms are contributing to addiction and mental health issues in children, the company may have stopped the US government from passing the law which would have imposed new rules on these platforms.The company successfully resisted pressure from a diverse and influential group of opponents, including 91 senators, a bipartisan group of representatives, a coalition of concerned parents, a high-profile figure's son, and a well-known tech entrepreneur, Politico reported.

Johnson expressed concerns about the bill's impact on free speech, particularly the potential for government censorship of conservative voices.
“Online safety is critically important. I’m a parent, I get that. But we also have to make sure that we don’t open the door for violations of free speech. And it’s a very delicate balance,” Johnson said in a statement to Politico.
Johnson also noted that he was committed to getting a bill done. He plans to propose legislation to protect kids online in 2025.

Meta may have defeated the proposed legislation through extensive lobbying and strategic relationship-building with Republicans, the report noted. The company repaired strained ties, partly by addressing past criticisms, such as CEO Mark Zuckerberg's apology to Rep. Jim Jordan and a $1 million donation to a group linked to a previously banned former president.
The company also used its advocacy group NetChoice to frame the bill as a threat to free speech, resonating with key Republican figures like Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the report added. This multi-faceted approach may have helped Meta to shift political sentiment and prevent the bill's passage.