Last federal kids-online law: COPPA, 1998
The last federal law protecting children online, COPPA, was passed in 1998 — 28 years ago — leaving a massive regulatory gap in the social media era.
Snapshot · Pivot
SpaceX IPO: Markets, Morals, and What It Means for You
Explore episode
Jun 12, 2026
Where this was said
Global Teen Social Media Bans: Society Saying No
At 55:30 · chapter starts 51:20
Canada has proposed banning under-16s from social media, the UK is weighing a similar measure, and Australia's existing ban is being undermined by workarounds — 70% of teens still get on. Kara dismisses the 'teens will find a way' argument as a false standard: we don't abandon drunk-driving laws because people still drink. The societal signal — this is harmful and we say so — is the point, analogous to cigarette warnings. Scott goes further and more alarmed: social media went mobile in 2013 and began wiring adolescent brains during puberty for constant visual stimulation. He sees it creating a new species of asocial, asexual young men, with posture literally changing. Europe is leading where the US cannot. Then comes the evidence that changes the frame entirely: [1] — Scott Galloway "Big Tech claimed for years it was technically impossible to detect and remove underage users. Then Australia passed a law, and platforms de…" 54:15 when Australia legislated, platforms deactivated nearly 5 million teen accounts in one month. The technology to detect underage users existed the whole time. Big Tech withheld it from Americans because Congress — under pressure from tech lobbying — refused to require it. The Kids Online Safety Act passed the Senate 91–3 and was killed by House GOP leadership. COPPA, from 1998, remains the last federal law on child online safety. Kara closes by teasing The Social Reckoning trailer — Aaron Sorkin's follow-up to The Social Network, with Jeremy Strong as Zuckerberg — as the cultural moment that will reframe Zuckerberg as villain.
Social Media Took Us into the Kill Zone — and Europe Is Leading the Way Out
Social media went mobile in 2013 and began wiring a generation's brains during puberty for constant stimulation. Scott Galloway argues this is now creating a new species of asocial, asexual males, with posture literally changing. Europe is leading on regulation — it took 30 years to regulate tobacco and 20 for opioids; social media is on pace to hit that 20-year mark.
Australia Deactivated 5 Million Teen Accounts in a Month — Proving Big Tech Lied
Big Tech claimed for years it was technically impossible to detect and remove underage users. Then Australia passed a law, and platforms deleted nearly 5 million teen accounts in one month. The capability existed the whole time — it was just being withheld from Americans because Congress refused to require it.
Australia deactivated 5M teen accounts in one month
After Australia passed its social media age-restriction law, platforms deactivated nearly 5 million teen accounts in just one month, disproving claims that age detection is impossible.
Kids Online Safety Act: Passed 91–3, Then Killed by House GOP
The Kids Online Safety Act cleared the US Senate 91 to 3 — about as bipartisan as it gets. Then House GOP leadership refused to hold a floor vote, killing it. The last federal law protecting kids online was COPPA in 1998. Meanwhile Big Tech fights tooth and nail against requirements to prevent content promoting suicide, eating disorders, and sexual exploitation of minors.
Kids Online Safety Act: passed Senate 91–3, then died
The Kids Online Safety Act passed the US Senate 91 to 3 but died when House GOP leadership refused to bring it to a floor vote.
Similar snapshots
8 states have filed social media lawsuits
A total of 8 states have filed lawsuits against social media platforms, including an ongoing case in Tennessee, using product liability and public nuisance theories to seek accountability.
France built 56 nuclear plants in the 1970s
France built 56 nuclear plants in the 1970s and now has the cheapest energy in Europe, making it independent of Russian or Middle Eastern energy geopolitics.
Estonia has one tax form
Estonia has a single tax form, a law preventing the government from asking citizens for the same information twice, and a flat rate of tax — enabling competitive taxation.
Lisbon legalised drugs and slashed crime
Portugal's Lisbon, once a city with a major heroin problem, legalised drugs and redirected enforcement spending into rehabilitation and housing, dramatically reducing crime.
Boland Amendment vote: 411-0
The first Boland Amendment banning CIA and Defense Department funds for the Contras passed the House unanimously — yet the Reagan administration ignored it.
Saudi Arabia donated $32M to Contras
Over just two years, Saudi Arabia alone donated $32 million to the Contra rebels, giving loosely affiliated factions millions they had no way to spend on arms.
National Endowment: 52% program rate
The National Endowment for the Preservation of Liberty raised $6.3 million for the Contras but only $3.3 million reached them — a shockingly low 52% program expense rate.
Secord & Hakim marked up arms 300%
Richard Secord and Albert Hakim marked up their arms shipments to the Contras by as much as 300%, making enormous personal profits from the covert operation.
Oliver North had zero covert experience
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, tapped to run the entire covert Contra support operation, had no prior experience in covert operations whatsoever — he was learning as he went.
