Dear Editors:
This past week, while listening to the Moon Griffon show, I heard a compelling ad about an issue impacting all of our children. In the radio spot, a father describes how merciless bullying online led to his son’s death by suicide.
Today, we stand at a critical juncture with the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) poised to protect our children from the many dangers they face online.
In a world where children as young as eight spend over five hours daily on screens, the threats they encounter are no longer hypothetical—they are alarmingly real.
Bullying, addiction, sexual exploitation, and exposure to harmful content have become distressingly common. The mental health crisis among our youth, exacerbated by these online dangers, demands immediate and robust intervention.
KOSA, recently passed by the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, aims to address these issues head-on. The bill’s provisions require online platforms to adopt a “duty of care,” mandating that they take reasonable steps to prevent harm to minors. This includes measures to protect children from dangerous content, disable addictive features, and restrict communication with minors.
As a nurse, I have seen the impact of bullying and harassment on children’s mental health. The rise in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts linked to social media use cannot be ignored. KOSA provides a framework to hold tech companies accountable and create a safer digital environment for our children. It ensures independent audits and research into the effects of these platforms, bringing much-needed transparency and accountability.
The passage of KOSA through the House Energy and Commerce Committee is a positive step, but we must keep up the momentum. I urge House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Speaker Mike Johnson to prioritize this legislation. Protecting our children should transcend partisan politics. KOSA represents a rare opportunity for bipartisan action to address a pervasive and growing problem.
The time to act is now. KOSA is not just a legislative milestone; it is a vital measure to ensure the well-being of our most vulnerable population.
Sincerely,
Lu Jones RN