The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) has sparked a heated debate among creators of fan fiction and other online communities, particularly those in the fandom space. Here’s a structured summary of the situation:
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Support for KOSA: Advocates argue that the law is essential to shield vulnerable children from harmful content online, protecting mental health and promoting consent.
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Opposition: Many creators, including @drakiexoxo and Phillips, express concern that the act infringes on free expression, especially regarding queer themes they believe are safe spaces for teens. They fear it could erase these communities’ content.
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Impact: The Ao3 community, a prominent platform for fan fiction, faced disruption when its servers went offline due to DDoS attacks following public backlash over perceived threats from KOSA. Despite recovery, all content was lost, highlighting the risks posed by the law.
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Personal and Professional Strain: Creators like @omarsbigsister received threats and stress as their teen followers worried about their safety online in response to the bill’s potential changes.
This complex issue underscores the tension between online safety protections and the need to preserve spaces for free expression, particularly for vulnerable groups.