Connecticut and national leaders applauded the Senate's decision to move forward with the Kids Online Safety Act on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

This bipartisan federal legislation aims to improve kids' and teens' safety on social media.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal urged Congress to pass the bill before the August recess.

Blumenthal says the time has come for big tech companies to be held accountable for their “harmful practices” toward children.

The Kids Online Safety Act has made significant progress, with 70 senators supporting the bill.

The last time Congress passed a law to protect children on the Internet was in 1998, for the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.