Category: Africa

Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal(D-Conn.) were joined by U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in introducing the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Last July, the Senate approved KOSA – the first major reform to the tech industry since 1998 – in an overwhelming 91-3 bipartisan vote. 

“Big Tech platforms have shown time and time again they will always prioritize their bottom line over the safety of our children, and I’ve heard too many heartbreaking stories to count from parents who have lost a child because these companies have refused to make their platforms safer by default,” said Senator Blackburn. “We would never allow our children to be exposed to pornography, sexual exploitation, drugs, alcohol, and traffickers in the physical space, but these platforms are allowing this every single day in the virtual space. Congress must not cave to the wills and whims of Big Tech, and we must not be bullied into submission. Now is the time to stand up and protect future generations from harm by passing KOSA.”   

“Senator Blackburn and I made a promise to parents and young people when we started fighting together for the Kids Online Safety Act – we will make this bill law. There’s undeniable awareness of the destructive harms caused by Big Tech’s exploitive, addictive algorithms, and inescapable momentum for reform,” said Senator Blumenthal. “I am grateful to Senators Thune and Schumer for their leadership and to our Senate colleagues for their overwhelming bipartisan support. KOSA is an idea whose time has come – in fact, it’s urgently overdue – and even tech companies like X and Apple are realizing that the status quo is unsustainable. Our coalition is bigger and stronger than ever before, and we are committed to seeing this measure protecting children on the internet signed into law.”

“I have been a longtime advocate for holding Big Tech accountable for its manipulative algorithms,” said Majority Leader Thune. “Consumers deserve more transparency about how these platforms amplify and suppress content, which is why I’m proud to support the Kids Online Safety Act. Senator Blackburn has done a tremendous amount of work to deliver a bill that takes real steps to empower families and mitigate the harm social media can do to children, and I’m grateful for her leadership on the issue.”

“I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation which provides necessary guardrails to protect our kids. Too many kids have had their personal data collected and used nefariously. Too many families have lost kids after they took their own lives because of what happened to them on social media,” said Minority Leader Schumer. “I thank these brave parents and families for sharing their stories. Keeping our kids safe from online threats should not be a partisan issue, I thank my Senate colleagues for championing these bills and I look forward to swift passage.”

 BACKGROUND

• Last month, bombshell reporting revealed Meta’s latest failure to protect minors from harm after AI-powered digital chatbots engaged in sexually explicit discussions with underaged users on its platforms. Following this report, Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal sent a letter demanding accountability. 

• Earlier this month, an additional report revealed Instagram’s automated software systems recommended child groomers connect with minors on the app and made it easier for them to find victims, according to a 2019 internal document presented by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The report noted that minors made up 27% of the follow recommendations that the social media app surfaced to groomers, and about one-third of the reports flagging inappropriate comments to the company came from minors.

• The bill text introduced today was first announced in December and is the same language approved by the Senate with several changes to further make clear that KOSA would not censor, limit, or remove any content from the internet, and it does not give the FTC or state Attorneys General the power to bring lawsuits over content or speech.

• KOSA is strongly supported by a broad coalition of parents who have tragically lost their children or whose kids have been severely harmed by Big Tech, young people who want to regain control over their online lives, and hundreds of advocacy groups and experts who study and see the negative effects of social media firsthand in their communities.

 ENDORSEMENTS 

This legislation has been endorsed by more than 250 national, state, and local organizations. Today, Appleannounced its endorsement of the legislation, and the bill has also garnered broad conservative support from key advocates like Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., Kellyanne Conway, Harmeet Dhillon, Richard Grenell, Sebastian Gorka, and more.

“Apple is pleased to offer our support for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Everyone has a part to play in keeping kids safe online, and we believe [this] legislation will have a meaningful impact on children’s online safety,” said Timothy Powderly, Senior Director, Government Affairs, Americas, Apple.

“I lost my 16-year-old son Mason in November of 2022 when he took his own life. This was only after he was inundated for several weeks by TikTok videos promoting suicide. There are no words to express the pain my family now lives with every single day. Big Tech will always put their profits over the safety of American children and it is my hope that this bipartisan legislation will quickly pass through the current Congress. Unlike Big Tech there is nothing more important to American families than our children and we need help to protect them from these dangerous platforms.” said Jennie Deserio, mother of Mason James Edens, forever 16. 

“We are so grateful to Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal for reintroducing the Kids Online Safety Act as the need for this bill remains profound. . We have waited and fought long enough, yet our children continue to face severe harms in online spaces where they should feel safe. This legislation is a collective plea from parents, like me, and in remembrance of my daughter Annalee, for meaningful social media reform. Another Mother’s Day and another full year has passed without my daughter and with our children’s futures at stake. It’s past time for change. Children deserve to have their voices heard, their rights protected, and their well-being prioritized by Congress,” said Lori Schott, mother of Annalee Schott, forever 18.

“I am so relieved today that Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal have reintroduced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Yet, it’s only a small victory – we still desperately need Congress to actually act on this popular, bipartisan bill and make it law. My daughter, Emily, died by suicide after a year of intense cyberbullying when she was only 17. Last year, we were so close to protecting other children from the same unthinkable fate when the Senate passed this bill and it was heartbreaking when it later stalled in the House. Too many parents like me have paid the ultimate price because of Big Tech’s greed and recklessness towards children’s lives. Our lawmakers must no longer allow this to continue unchecked. This must end now by passing KOSA,” said Erin Popolo, mother of Emily Michaela Murillo, forever 17.

“I am so thankful for brave leaders like Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Richard Blumenthal who are willing to stand-up to Big Tech and support the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a popular bipartisan bill that will provide important protections for youth online. My 17-year-old son, Alex Peiser, died by suicide after he was bullied online and sent pro-suicide memes on his private Instagram account, three days after a break-up.  If KOSA had been in effect, protections would have been in place that might have prevented his death.  Congress had a remarkable opportunity last year to make KOSA law and implement the first reforms of social media in more than 25 years. They can stand together now for children’s online safety by passing KOSA this session without delay,” said Sharon Winkler, mother of Alex Peiser, forever 17.

“I lost my son Walker December 1, 2022, to suicide after he became  a victim of sextortion. Walker was attacked through Instagram where a man from Nigeria was able to extort him over a sexually explicit video. Today, I attended Walker’s school where we honored the  seniors. Walker’s classmates are graduating this week and he should be there. As long as tech companies have the ability to self-regulate we will continue to lose other teens just like Walker. Thank you Senator Blackburn and Blumenthal for standing up to this industry,” said Brian Montgomery, father of Walker Montgomery, forever 16. 

“For years, grieving parents have shown up to tell their stories, and Congress has promised to act. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) has been vetted, revised, and supported by both parties—and it would give families the tools they desperately need to protect their children. After coming so close last year, there’s no excuse for letting this moment slip away, KOSA’s reintroduction is a second chance we cannot afford to waste,” said Maurine Molak, mother of David Molak, forever 16, co-founder of David’s Legacy Foundation & ParentsSOS.

“Thank you Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal for your leadership with the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Our son, Devin Norring, died at the age of 19 to fentanyl poisoning after a drug dealer connected with him on Snapchat. Devin was just trying to manage his pain during the COVID lockdown from a cracked molar, but instead he was targeted and lost his life. No parent should ever have to endure this immense pain that we are now forced to live with every day. KOSA is a vital step toward giving families the tools they need to protect their children online while also holding tech companies accountable. Your efforts mean more than we could ever express to families like ours who are fighting every single day to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” said Bridgette & Tom Norring, parents of Devin Norring, forever 19.

“We are so proud of and encouraged by Senator Blumenthal’s and Senator Blackburn’s reintroduction of KOSA. This legislation is timely and needed for America’s children and families. We still feel the loss of our son, Matthew E. Minor, every day. Matthew was a bright and loving child who, at age 12 was exposed to a viral online challenge sent to him by social media’s relentless algorithms. Tragically, he tried it, and accidentally asphyxiated himself. Every delay in passing this bill means putting more of our precious children’s lives at risk. We live with the overwhelmingly tragic memories of losing our child constantly and want to keep other families from experiencing the same pain . As a nation, we are as complicit as Big Tech if we do nothing to improve the safety of social media. Regulations, like those required in KOSA, should be in place to help mitigate online harms.  It’s time that Congress says yes to keeping our children safe online. Pass KOSA Now!!” said Todd & Mia Minor, Parents of Matthew E. Minor, forever 12, co-founders of the Matthew E. Minor Awareness Foundation.

“The shattering loss of my joyful daughter Grace thirteen years ago compelled me to repeatedly speak out about social media dangers to anyone who would listen. Smartphones and social media were new then and I felt I had an alarm bell to ring. That bell is still clanging and though risk and harm to our children is now clear, rescue has failed to arrive and children are still dying. Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn bring hope with the reintroduction of Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Last year, Senators of all stripes sat down with parents, shared our grief, learned about the many and varied harms our children suffered, and then passed KOSA by a resounding 91 to 3 vote. It should have been smooth sailing through the U.S. House as well, but Leadership wouldn’t even meet with parents or bring this lifesaving legislation to the floor for a vote. If they fail once more, it won’t be for lack of evidence. It will be because they chose Big Tech’s money over the lives of American children again,” said Christine Pfister McComas, mother of Grace, forever 15, Grace McComas Memorial.

“I lost my son, Erik Robinson to accidental asphyxiation 15 years ago when he was just 12-years-old because of a viral challenge that others had promised was “safe.” Back then we had no idea that algorithms targeted kids with such dangerous material. However, we now know that these platforms are only out to make money and do not care how their platforms target and affect children. It breaks my heart that thousands of other kids have also died since Erik’s death as a result of an immense menu of harms that target kids online. Legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would help mitigate many of these harms and save lives. I urge Congress to say “yes” and help keep kids safe with KOSA,” said Judy Rogg, mother of Erik Robinson, forever 12, Co-founder and Director of Erik’s Cause.

“It’s been more than four years since I lost my son, Riley, to suicide when he was only 15 years old after a sinister stranger found him on Facebook and sextorted him. One of the few ways I’ve found to cope since then is to advocate for social media reforms that will protect other children from the abuse Riley experienced. Which is why the reintroduction of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) is so critical. This transformative legislation will finally hold Big Tech accountable for the algorithms and designs they use to prey on the most vulnerable among us simply because it adds to their hefty bottom line. It’s unconscionable and Congress must step in now to require they create a safer product, because we know they can. KOSA will do just that,” said Mary Rodee, mother of Riley Basford, forever 15. 

“My world imploded in May 2019 when my 15-year-old son Mason died of accidental asphyxiation. The cause? The ‘blackout challenge,’ a viral social media trend. No child should die because they were innocently scrolling online and no product manufacturer, in this case Big Tech, should be allowed to peddle such harmful products. Cars have to have seat belts. Milk has to have an expiration date. Social media platforms should be required to have meaningful, effective, safety features as well. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) includes those necessary guardrails by mandating a change to the algorithms that send kids such destructive content unsolicited. If Congress would finally pass this bill and make it law, it would be a complete game-changer for children and families across America.” said Joann Bogard, mother of Mason Bogard, forever 15.

“There’s a lie going around that vigilant parents – the ones who regularly check their children’s phones, read their texts, are “friends” on their feeds – can keep their kids safe online. I learned in the absolute worst way how untrue this is. I lost my daughter Coco, just 17, after an Instagram drug dealer sold her counterfeit Percocet laced with fentanyl. We parents are no match for Big Tech and their multi-million-dollar lobbying arm working tirelessly to keep their products unregulated so they can earn billions off of our kids, no matter the harm caused along the way. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), would finally put an end to this uncontrolled greed and I know it would have saved Coco’s life. It came so close to passage last year and I am so grateful to Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal for not giving up and reintroducing it again now. I can only hope this time around their Congressional colleagues will see fit to choose kids over Big Tech’s profits and make KOSA law once and for all,” said Julianna Arnold, mother of Lucienne “Coco” Konar, forever 17.

“My daughter McKenna was an accomplished athlete and scholar, kind to her core, and deeply loyal to those she loved. She had such a promising, rich, life ahead of her. But three years ago she died by suicide after being horribly cyberbullied on social media. She was only 16. Had the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) been law, I am certain she would still be with us today. This bill requires that social media platforms take a safety-by-design approach, which is the precise opposite of their profits-at-any-cost approach right now. KOSA would make sure that too-often lethal harms like cyberbullying are no longer allowed to run rampant, ruining children’s and family’s lives forever. Thank you to Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn for reintroducing this life-saving bill. I urge every lawmaker in D.C. to pass KOSA without delay,” said Cheryl Brown, mother of McKenna Brown, forever 16. 

“My son Bubba was just 13 years old when he died by accidental asphyxiation after trying a so-called viral ‘challenge’ he saw online. He was a brilliant student, full of promise, and he never should have been exposed to content that could cost him his life. That responsibility lies with Big Tech CEOs who have built business models that exploit our children’s attention with no regard for their well-being. Last year, the Senate overwhelmingly passed KOSA, proving that protecting kids online is not a partisan issue. But the House failed to act. That’s why I’m incredibly grateful to Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn for reviving this critical bill. KOSA is long overdue. I truly believe my son would still be here today if these safeguards had been in place. My plea to lawmakers is simple: Congress hasn’t passed a single meaningful law to protect kids online in 25 years. How many more children have to die before you finally hold Big Tech accountable?” said Annie McGrath, mother of Griffin “Bubba” McGrath, forever 13.

“I have sat across from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and told Becca’s story time and again. And still, there are no meaningful protections in place to prevent this from happening to another child. That is why the Kids Online Safety Act is so important. KOSA would finally require companies to design for safety instead of profit and give parents a fighting chance to protect their kids. I urge every member of Congress: do not let another year pass without action. Our children deserve better,” said Deb Schmill, mother of Becca Schmill, forever 18, Founder of the Becca Schmill Foundation. 

“Selena was just 11 when she died by suicide after being exploited and overwhelmed on social media. I tried everything to protect her, but social media platforms like Snapchat were designed to pull her in and shut me out. KOSA would give parents a fighting chance. It would force companies to put safety first, and finally make them answer for the harm they’ve caused to families like mine through exposure to harmful cyberbullying. The reintroduction of KOSA represents a vital opportunity for Congress to finally implement necessary safeguards, ensuring that no other child falls victim to the same preventable dangers that took Selena from us,” said Tammy Rodriguez, mother of Selena Rodriguez, forever 11. 

“My son Alexander was 14 when he died from fentanyl poisoning after a drug dealer on Snapchat sold him counterfeit oxycontin that had enough fentanyl to kill four adults. There should have been social restrictions in place to prevent his death and there should be such restrictions in place now. Congress had an opportunity to stop further online harms from happening by passing KOSA in 2024, the Senate prevailed and the House failed us and America’s children. I commend Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal for stepping up to the plate again and only hope that House Leadership will follow suit this time around and stop making profits a priority over children’s lives,” said Amy Neville, mother of Alexander Neville, forever 14. 

“My son Ethan was 13 when he died as a result of accidental asphyxiation after participating in the online ‘Blackout Challenge.’ Had KOSA been in place, there is no doubt that my son would still be alive. Congress had an opportunity to save more children’s lives last year by passing KOSA, the Senate stepped up, but the House failed to do so. Now is the time for Congress to redefine the narrative and to stop allowing Big Tech to win and to stop them from killing more children. It is time for Congress to do the right thing and pass KOSA this year,” said Jeff Van Lith, father of Ethan Burke Van Lith, forever 13.

“KOSA is the first bill that would make these companies, like iFunny and Snapchat, responsible for preventing the kinds of harm that took my son from me. Congress has a second chance to do something real. We need them to take it,” said Michelle Servi, mother of Jack Servi, forever 16.

“The Kids Online Safety Act gives parents the tools they need—and have long pleaded for—to effectively oversee their children’s social media use. The legislation rightfully requires platforms to prioritize the well-being of young users over algorithms and design features that maximize user engagement. While some platforms have elected to implement varying degrees of safeguards, the Kids Online Safety Act creates consistency, fosters transparency, and critically, holds platforms accountable for profiting from addictive features and child exploitation,” said Annie Chestnut Tutor, Policy Analyst, Center for Technology and the Human Person, The Heritage Foundation.

“Our children need online protection plain and simple. The amount of victimization that occurs online is staggering.  Law enforcement cannot protect our children in the current online environment, that is why KOSA is so important to our children,” said John Pizzuro, CEO of Raven.

“Every day, catastrophic numbers of children are exploited on social media platforms that have no protective guardrails. The proliferation of adult content and bad actors make the internet a perilous place for kids. The Kids Online Safety Act would introduce basic, commonsense protection that make these platforms safer for minors. Internet protections have not been updated by Congress since 1998, long before many of these platforms existed. It’s imperative that Congress act now to protect America’s kids,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee.

“I’m pleased the Senate has re-introduced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). There is indisputable harm happening to children at an industrial scale—reaching literally millions of children. KOSA would begin to address those harms. Parents say this is the #1 issue, above school violence, drugs, and bullying. Free speech protections are enshrined in explicit language in the bill. I look forward to lauding the efforts of all who see this bill through,” said Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation.

“The reintroduction of KOSA is a test of whether Congress will finally stand with families instead of Big Tech. This bill has withstood years of scrutiny, has enormous bipartisan support, and is the only federal legislation that addresses the wide range of design-caused harms experienced by children every day online. Lawmakers must seize this moment and finally deliver the protections children need,” said Josh Golin, Executive Director of Fairplay.  

“Protecting children is the most basic human decency. The technology world that has come into being over the last 20+ years has been strip-mining the minds of our next generation for profit. They have been darkening their souls. They have been playing to their fears and walling them up in their anxieties. And their vision is now to use the very isolation and instability that they have created and catalyzed to create dependence on them through AI. The Kids Online Safety Act will stop this. It will turn the page on the harms many kids have suffered and protect the next generation. It will hold the companies that have done this accountable,” said Tim Estes, Founder & CEO of AngelQ.

“The Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action remains committed to the passage of KOSA. We are encouraged to see the bill being reintroduced in the Senate and look forward to working with Congressional members to protect vulnerable young people against online harms,” said Christine Peat, PhD, FAED, LP, President of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action.

“Street Grace is honored to support KOSA. We envision a world where no child is exploited and KOSA puts America on that path by adding transparency and accountability to the sites and platforms which are currently advertising to children with zero safeguards in place,” said Bob Rodgers, CEO of Street Grace.

“The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) represents a vital and overdue step toward protecting our children from the growing threat of online exploitation. These predators are not abstract threats – they are in our homes, on our children’s phones, in their games, and across every digital platform they use daily.  We need KOSA because our current system is failing our children.  This legislation provides essential guardrails to ensure tech companies are accountable for the safety of minors and are required to design their platforms with the well-being of children in mind – not profit,” said Tammy Sneed, Director of Engage Together.

“This bill is a critical step toward holding tech companies accountable for designing online platforms with child safety in mind. For too long, predators have exploited the internet’s blind spots to target children for grooming and trafficking. By requiring platforms to proactively mitigate these harms and provide greater transparency and control to families, this legislation puts the safety of children first. We urge lawmakers to swiftly pass this bill and send a clear message: protecting children online is not optional—it’s a responsibility,” said Linda Smith (U.S. Congress 1995-99, Washington State Senate/House 1983-94), Founder & President of Shared Hope International.

“Parents have been left on their own to try to fend off a massive tech-induced crisis in American childhood from online platforms that are engineered to be maximally addictive. And the tech companies face zero accountability for how their products harm children, like how their algorithms help connect predators with child victims online. KOSA offers a needed solution by making social media platforms responsible for preventing and mitigating certain objective harms to minors, like sexual exploitation, in their product design and empowering authorities to hold them accountable if they don’t. It’s time to end Big Tech’s total impunity,” said Clare Morell, Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. 

“In this digital age, the number of cybertips has skyrocketed from 1 million in 2012 to 36 million in 2023. Now more than ever, it is crucial to protect our children by ensuring they receive online safety training and by enacting legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act to hold tech platforms accountable and implement necessary safeguards,” said Ashlie Bryant, CEO of the 3Strands Global Foundation.

“Count on Mothers fully endorses KOSA. After surveying mothers across the political spectrum and all U.S. regions, and conducting a nationally representative focus group, we found overwhelming support for KOSA’s protections. Mothers are demanding accountability and a clear duty of care from tech companies. Across backgrounds and beliefs, they agree: it’s time for the federal government to require social media platforms to offer minors the tools to protect their privacy, safety, and mental health from addictive and harmful product designs,” said Count on Mothers. 

“The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) demands that the sanctity of family and the sacredness of childhood be treated as national priorities. American families cannot withstand this digital crisis without real protections and accountability for an industry that has gone unchecked for far too long. KOSA offers an indispensable shield for children, guarding them against corporate greed and reckless harm through a commonsense approach to online safety,” said Jason Frost, CEO of Wired Human.

“KOSA supports Digitally Intentional’s mission by prioritizing protection over profit, empowering families and safeguarding children from the manipulative corporate practices of Big Tech. Passing KOSA renews our nation’s commitments to another generation and for our country’s future,” said Harrison Haynes, Founder of Digitally Intentional and Chair of End OSEAC Survivors Council.

“We are grateful to the United States Senators that they are unflagging in their efforts to get the Kids Online Safety Act passed. This is no time for politics. America’s children are suffering from the worst mental health crisis in recorded history, and the literature is increasingly clear that the main driver is digital addiction. Social media are rife with abusive environments for children who get swept down dark rabbit holes by opaque algorithms. To make matters worse, the rise of A.I. chatbots that trick kids into friendships and romantic relationships with artificial corporate products that are perfectly attuned to their shifting moods, will only make it more critical than ever that we pass the Kids Online Safety Act. The time is now,” said Michael Toscano, Director of the Family First Technology Initiative. 

“Passing KOSA is a significant step forward toward protecting kids from the harms of Big Tech.KOSA’s targeted, bipartisan approach ensures that parents have the ability to protect their kids online from those features and designs that hurt their development and mental health. This is simply a win for parents, children, and consumers all around,” said Joel Thayer, President of the Digital Progress Institute. 

“When companies like Meta enable a new AI chatbot to have sexually explicit conversations with child accounts, or when TikTok provided a platform for adults to pay teens to strip on its LIVE feature, it is clear that it is past time to hold Big Tech accountable. Congress has a major role in ensuring tech platforms prioritize child safety by reintroducing and passing the Kids Online Safety Act,” said Melissa Henson, Vice President of Parents Television and Media Council.

“We strongly support the Kids Online Safety Act as a critical step toward protecting the health, safety, and well-being of children and teens in the digital age. Online platforms play an increasingly central role in the lives of young people, it is imperative that we hold technology companies accountable for the environments they create and maintain. We commend the bipartisan leadership behind the Kids Online Safety Act and urge lawmakers to pass this legislation without delay. Protecting children online is not a partisan issue—it is a moral imperative,” said the Paving The Way Foundation.

“Social media companies continue to abjectly fail the most basic test of any society: protecting children. Big Tech has consistently shown that it cares more about its profit margins than about child safety. The harm needs to stop. It’s past time that Congress pass the Kids Online Safety Act,” said Chris Griswold, Policy Director of American Compass. 

“Online exploitation is a borderless crime that transcends jurisdictions and preys on the most vulnerable—our children. KOSA is a critical step towards safeguarding digital spaces and setting an example for other governments to combat this global threat. Protecting children online is not just a policy imperative; it is a moral obligation,” said Anne Basham, Chair of the Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking.

“In light of the disturbing reality that some social media services and platforms have become increasingly addictive and even toxic to kids, The Kids Online Safety Act is common sense and necessary  legislation that when enacted, will hold platforms accountable to restrict targeted advertising to children, disable addictive online platform features, provide the option to opt out of algorithmic recommendations, and enforce the highest privacy settings for accounts used by minor children. Enough Is Enough applauds the leadership of KOSA cosponsors Senator Blackburn and Senator Blumenthal for reintroducing this critical bill and the overwhelming bi-partisan support of the U.S. Senate last session. We join our allies in urging both the Senate and the House to prioritize the passage of KOSA soonest. The human cost of delay is severe. Kids are dying. Protecting the lives, innocence and dignity of children online is a non-partisan issue with wide bi-partisan support,” said Donna Rice Hughes, CEO/President, Enough Is Enough. 

“These platforms fail to disclose their addictive nature or the harms associated with their use. Our children deserve transparency, safety measures, and tools, not exploitation, by default. Why is this so hard? Thank you, Senator Blackburn, for consistently standing in the gap with parents. This time, let’s get it done!” said Chris McKenna, Founder of Protect Young Eyes. 

Click here for bill text.

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