Joint Letter to House Leadership on KOSA with ParentsTogether
Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker, House of Representatives
Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
Minority Leader, House of Representatives
Honorable Cathy McMorris Rogers
Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Honorable Frank Pallone
Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Dear Speaker Johnson, Minority Leader Jeffries, Chair McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone,
We write to you as grieving parents and survivors. We have lost our children to suicide in the wake of relentless cyberbullying or sextortion. We have lost our children to fentanyl poisoning from drugs purchased through social media. We have lost our children to dangerous viral “challenges” that took their lives. We have lost our children because time and time again, Big Tech chose to prioritize profits over the safety and wellbeing of young people.
We cannot wait another day, let alone another year. Children are dying. We urge you to forward in the House of Representatives a companion to Senate Bill 1409, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
We know the internet is vital for kids to stay connected with their friends and classmates. So it's crucial to prioritize the development of safe online environments. As parents raising our children in the digital age, we did everything we were supposed to. We discussed with our children the dangers they might encounter online and how to react to them, warned them against speaking to strangers on the internet, and encouraged them to come to us with their worries. That was not enough: even an engaged parent with all the time and resources in the world doesn’t stand a chance against manipulative design features and profit-seeking algorithms pushing harmful content to their kids.
Big Tech’s abject failure to regulate themselves and protect the young people using their products could not come at a worse time for American children and teens. Between 2010 and 2020, the suicide death rate increased 62% for teens.1 In 2021, global rates of depression and anxiety among young people were 25% and 20% respectively.2 Rates of emergency room visits for children and teens for depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric issues rose by 28% between 2011 and 2015.3 US emergency rooms saw more teen girls admitted for eating disorders during the pandemic.4 Fatal overdoses among teens doubled between 2019 and 2020, and rose by another 20% in 2021.5 In 2022, over 3,000 minors were targeted in sextortion cases online - leading to more than a dozen suicides.6
The mental health crisis is not happening in a vacuum: a well-established body of research (some from tech companies themselves) shows how algorithmic amplification and social media exacerbate these problems for young people. On Instagram alone, every week nearly 17% of Instagram users aged 13-15 see content promoting self-harm7; nearly 50% report witnessing bullying; and over 20% of teens were bullied themselves.8
Malicious actors use social media to sexually exploit children and to financially extort them through threats of distributing intimate images.9 A 2023 Wall Street Journal report found that Instagram’s algorithm helps connect and promote a network of child sex abuse material (CSAM) and guides pedophiles to content sellers through its recommendation systems. When users search for terms related to CSAM, a pop-up warns them that “These results may contain images of child sexual abuse,” but still allows users to “See results anyway.”10 We cannot and will not shrug off these horrific threats to children as simply the price of living in a connected world, particularly when these harms are linked directly to deliberate design choices made by social media companies.
We know from first-hand experience how digital platforms can turn the normal trials and tribulations of adolescence into incomprehensible tragedies. Young people cannot wait for further studies and research–their development and childhood are happening now. Big Tech must be held accountable for the business decisions that are taking our children’s lives.
This is why the Kids Online Safety Act is so urgently needed. KOSA shifts responsibility for those aspects of online safety controlled by Big Tech away from parents and young people and places it squarely on the companies shaping kids' and teens’ experiences online. At the heart of the bill is a duty of care that requires platforms to prevent and mitigate the most serious harms to young people: suicide, eating disorders, mental health harms, cyberbullying, illegal drug sales, and sexual exploitation. Critically, it also requires platforms to address addictive patterns of use – social media addiction is often the pathway through which so many serious and deadly harms to young people occur.
KOSA also provides families with better tools for young people to protect themselves online. The bill requires platforms to provide and turn on the most protective settings by default, rather than sending parents and young people through a maze of confusing settings in order to turn off geolocation tracking, adjust account privacy settings, or prevent messages from strangers. Further, it gives young people the ability to avoid dangerous content rabbit holes by controlling the types of content that is recommended to them and to opt out of features that are designed to keep them online. It requires social media companies to work with an outside auditor to assess the risks of harm to minors on the platforms and the platform’s prevention and mitigation efforts. And when a young person or family is in crisis, KOSA requires online platforms to track and respond to issue reports – a feature many of us desperately needed.
American families need the Kids Online Safety Act now: we cannot delay any more. Every single day that social media remains unregulated, more children are lost to its harms. While there are important protections needed for families’ and children’s data security, KOSA is the only bill that addresses the wide range of harms experienced by young people across a range of platforms. And with 66 co-sponsors in the Senate, the bill could become law in the near future if the House similarly prioritizes online safety.
Please, bring a companion bill to the House of Representatives, and pass the Kids Online Safety Act.
Sincerely,
Amanda and Phyllis Harding of Kansas,
Parents of Blake, forever age 15
Amanda Davis of New Jersey,
Parent of Destiny, forever age 19
Amanda Randolph of Missouri,
Parent of Landen, forever age 22
Amy and Aaron Neville of Arizona,
Parents of Alexander, forever age 14
Andrea Hart and Christopher Wagner Sr of California,
Parents of Christopher, forever age 17
Andrea Silvano of Massachusetts,
Parent of Zachary, forever age 21
Angela Woodard of Wisconsin,
Parent of Damien, forever age 20
Annie McGrath of Wisconsin,
Parent of Griffin, forever age 13
April Tsosie of Montana,
Parent of Melissa, forever age 16
Ashley Callau of California,
Parent of Angelo, forever age 15
Avery and Lori Schott of Colorado,
Parents of Annalee, forever age 18
Beverly Garland of Georgia,
Parent of Breezy, forever age 12
Bradley Richardson of Illinois,
Parent of Tyler, forever age 19
Brandi Ball and Tyran Haulcy of Michigan,
Parents of Tahrique, forever age 11
Brian Montgomery of Mississippi,
Parent of Walker, forever age 16
Bridget Eileen Young of Colorado,
Parent of Alexander, forever age 24
Candace and Stacy Young of California,
Parents of Nathan, forever age 15
Casey Loza of California,
Parent of Sadie, forever age 15
Chris and Shannon Rasmussen of Arizona,
Parents of Luis, forever age 17
Christina Arlington-Smith and Rashika Walton of Texas and Tennessee,
Parents of Lalani, forever age 8
Christina Martin of Ohio,
Parent of Alysa, forever age 17
Christine McComas of Maryland,
Parent of Grace, forever age 15
Christine Smith of California,
Parent of Elise, forever age 13
Christopher and Donna Dawley of Wisconsin,
Parents of CJ, forever age 17
Cindy Cruz-Sarantos of California,
Parent of Dylan, forever age 18
David Osterman of Colorado,
Parent of Max, forever age 18
Deb and Stu Schmill of Massachusetts,
Parents of Becca, forever age 18
Diana Trujillo of Florida,
Parent of Juan, forever age 16
Donna Smith of Indiana,
Parent of Kadin, forever age 17
Elizabeth and Greg Morgan of Texas,
Parents of Louis, forever age 26
Erica Adams of California,
Parent of Daniel, forever age 16
Erin Popolo of New Jersey,
Parent of Emily, forever age 17
Fran Humphreys of Washington,
Parent of Sophia, forever age 20
Frances Gonzales of Arizona,
Parent of Rey, forever age 16
Graciela Baez of California,
Parent of Arnold, forever age 17
Gregorio and Blair Aranda of Louisiana,
Parents of Brantley, forever age 17
Hanh Badger of California,
Parent of Brooke, forever age 17
Heriberto and Christal Arroyo Roman of Wisconsin,
Parents of Arriani, forever age 9
Ivy Shufelt of New Mexico,
Parent of James, forever age 16
James and Jennifer Ebert of Kansas,
Parents of Jayson, forever age 21
Jayanna Peterson of California,
Parent of James, forever age 17
Jeff Van Lith of Washington,
Parent of Ethan, forever age 13
Jennie and Dave Desario of Arkansas,
Parents to Mason, forever age 16
Jennifer Buta of Michigan,
Parent of Jordan, forever age 17
Jennifer Mitchell of Florida,
Parent of Ian, forever age 16
Jessica of New Mexico,
Parent of Zaiden, forever age 11
Jessica Arevalo and Michael Fonseca of California,
Parents of Nayelie, forever age 16
Jessica Diacont of Virginia,
Parent of Jacob, forever age 15
Joann Bogard of Indiana,
Parent of Mason, forever age 15
Jodi Miller Odell of Arizona,
Parent of Justin, forever age 18
John and Amy Standal of Wisconsin,
Parents of Ian, forever age 21
Judy Rogg of California,
Parent of Erik, forever age 12
Julianna Arnold of New York,
Parent of Coco, forever age 17
Kathryn Guillot Loftin of Texas,
Parent of Kennedy, forever age 12
Kathryn Williams of Indiana,
Parent of Chantel, forever age 18
Kathy and James McCarthy of Michigan,
Parents of Jack, forever age 19
Ken Kathy Tork of Washington,
Parent of Kevin, forever age 15
Kenny Klingele of California,
Parent of Sequoyah, forever age 16
Kimberly Osterman of Colorado,
Parent of Max, forever age 18
Kristie Reillu of Wisconsin,
Parent of Noah, forever age 13
Kristin Bride of Arizona,
Parent of Carson, forever age 16
Kristina Cahak of Wisconsin,
Parent of Morgan, forever age 15
Krystal Lebofsky of Florida,
Parent of Deja, forever age 12
K. Wells of Texas,
Parent of Chandler, forever age 18
Leon Miller and Shawanext Miller of Texas,
Parents of Leon, forever age 16
Lindsey Thurman of California,
Parent of Manuel, forever age 17
Lisa and Stephen Reynolds of Massachusetts,
Parents of John, forever age 18
Lisa Marquez of California,
Parent of Fernando, forever age 17
Maggie Taylor of Illinois,
Parent of Emily, forever age 17
Mahsa Jaeger of California,
Parent of Finale, forever age 18
Maria Ortega of California,
Parent of Adrian, forever age 19
Mary Rodee of New York,
Parent of Riley, forever age 15
Maurine and Matt Molak of Texas,
Parents of David, forever age 16
Melissa Ward of Kansas,
Parent of Hunter, forever age 15
Michael Ourand of Maryland,
Parent of Kevin, forever age 20
Michael Parras of Colorado,
Parent of Marciano, forever age 16
Michelle Servi of Wisconsin,
Parent of Jack, forever age 16
Misty Terrigino of Arizona,
Parent of Kaylie, forever age 17
Mona Leonardi of California,
Parent of Michael, forever age 20
Patrick Cly of California,
Parent of Vanessa, forever age 18
Patti Klose of Colorado,
Parent of Lauren, forever age 18
Paul and Stacy Welding of Colorado,
Parent of Evan, forever age 18
Rachel Ruepke of Iowa,
Parent of Gabriel, forever age 21
Rebekah Brown of Oklahoma,
Parent of Cole, forever age 18
Regina Robinson of Indiana,
Parent of Jasmine, forever age 28
Renee Kroll of New Jersey,
Parent of Bryan, forever age 15
Roger G. Pytko III of Florida,
Parent of Zachary, forever age 15
Rosemarie Maneri of New York,
Parent of Shylynn, forever age 18
Ryan and Darla Gill of Louisiana,
Parents of Emma, forever age 16
Samuel P Chapman of California,
Parent of Sammy, forever age 16
Sarah and Kyle Wilkinson of Pennsylvania,
Parents of Dylan, forever age 19
Shailyn Malone of Washington,
Parent of Taylen, forever age 15
Selene Swanson Jensen of Washington,
Parent of Tanner, forever age 19
Shamela Weight of Indiana,
Parent of Damari, forever age 19
Shannon Lee of Minnesota,
Parent of Ashlyn Taylor, forever age 16
Sharon Winkler of Georgia,
Parent of Alexander forever age 17
Shayna Grogan of North Carolina,
Parent of Adrian, forever age 17
Sheryl Kiser of Texas,
Parent of Zackery, forever age 16
Shonell Green of Utah,
Parent of Tate, forever age 14
Sondra Worthley of New York,
Parent of Xander, forever age 12
Stephani Torres of Oregon,
Parent of Kierston, forever age 19
Taj Jensen of Washington,
Parent of Tanner, forever age 19
Tammy Rodriguez of Connecticut,
Parent of Selena, forever age 11
Thomas and Bridgette Norring of Minnesota,
Parents of Devin, forever age 19
Todd Minor Sr. of Maryland,
Parent of Matthew, forever age 12
Toney Roberts and Brandy Roberts of Louisiana,
Parents of Englyn, forever age 14
Valerie Bradley of California,
Parent of Hector, forever age 20
Wesley Wilks of Kansas,
Parent of Caleb, forever age 18
1 Saunders, H., Jun 22, N. P. P., & 2022. (2022, June 22). A Look at Suicide Rates Ahead of 988 Launch—A National Three-Digit Suicide Prevention Hotline. KFF. https://www.kff.org/other/issue-brief/a-look-a-suicide-rates-ahead-of-988-launch-a-national-three-digit-suicide-prevention-hotline/
2 Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. (2021). Global Prevalence of Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Children and Adolescents During COVID-19: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(11), 1142–1150. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482
3 Kalb, L. G., Stapp, E. K., Ballard, E. D., Holingue, C., Keefer, A., & Riley, A. (2019). Trends in Psychiatric Emergency Department Visits Among Youth and Young Adults in the US. Pediatrics, 143(4), e20182192. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2192
4 Radhakrishnan, L. (2022). Pediatric Emergency Department Visits Associated with Mental Health Conditions Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic—United States, January 2019–January 2022. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7108e2
5 Friedman, J., Godvin, M., Shover, C. L., Gone, J. P., Hansen, H., & Schriger, D. L. (2022). Trends in Drug Overdose Deaths Among US Adolescents, January 2010 to June 2021. JAMA, 327(14), 1398–1400. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.2847
6 Federal Bureau of Investigations. (2022, December 19). FBI and Partners Issue National Public Safety Alert on Financial Sextortion Schemes. FBI. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-and-partners-issue-national-publicsafety-alert-on-financial-sextortion-schemes
7 Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Meta Platforms Inc. and Instagram, LLC, No. 2384CV02397-bls1, Counts 281-282 (Mass. Super. Ct. Nov. 6, 2023).
8 Id.
9 Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Walsh, W., & Treitman, L. (2018). Sextortion of Minors: Characteristics and Dynamics. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(1), 72–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.08.014
10 Jeff Horwitz and Katherine Blunt, Instagram Connects Vast Pedophile Network, Wall Street Journal, (June 7, 2023), https://www.wsj.com/articles/instagram-vast-pedophile-network-4ab7189?mod=djemalertNEWS
