Letter: Our children deserve to be safe online | Pelican Post

While listening to the Moon Griffon show this past week, I heard a compelling ad about an issue that impacts all of our children. In the radio spot, a father describes how merciless online bullying led to his son’s suicide.

Today we stand at a critical moment 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 more than five hours on screens every day, the threats they face 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 young people, exacerbated by these online dangers, requires immediate and strong intervention.

KOSA, which recently passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, aims to address these issues head-on. The provisions of the bill require online platforms to adopt a “duty of care”, requiring them to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to minors. This includes measures to protect children from dangerous content, disable addictive features and limit communication with minors.

As a nurse, I have seen the impact of bullying and harassment on children’s mental health. The increase in depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts associated with social media use cannot be ignored. KOSA provides a framework to hold technology 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.

KOSA’s passage through the House Energy and Commerce Committee is a positive step, but we must keep the momentum going. I urge Congress to prioritize this legislation. Protecting our children must transcend party politics. KOSA represents a rare opportunity for bipartisan action to address a pervasive and growing problem.

Now is the time to act. KOSA is not just a legislative milestone; it is a crucial measure to ensure the well-being of our most vulnerable population.

Honestly,

Lu Jones RN