U.S. Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania disclosed that he is currently recuperating from COVID-19 at his residence. Fetterman, situated in Braddock near Pittsburgh, specified in a statement on Tuesday that he missed the day’s Senate votes due to his recovery at home. One of the significant votes he missed was the Senate’s 91-3 approval of a bill intended to shield children from harmful online content. This legislative move marks a pivotal effort by Congress to make tech companies more responsible for the negative impact they have.
Parents of children who have suffered because of online content, such as bullying leading to suicide, have been advocating for this bill. The proposed legislation would compel companies to implement measures to reduce harm on platforms frequently accessed by minors, mandating them to prioritize safety settings and exercise a “duty of care.” Fetterman voiced his support for the bill in his statement, urging the House to pass it promptly.
