John,

Late last week, news broke that proved once again that social media companies are knowingly putting their profits over kids’ safety online.

A whistleblower came forward with new details about how Meta uses systems that dramatically underestimate the mental health harms experienced by Instagram and Facebook users, especially children and teens. In yesterday’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, that same whistleblower shared that when he brought these revelations to Meta leadership, they chose to end his research and fire most of the team behind it, rather than acting in the interest of users.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Big Tech companies like Meta cannot be trusted to act in the best interest of users — especially children.

The problems that social media poses to kids and teens reverberate and have ramifications that impact our democracy at large. That’s why here at Issue One, we’re working towards solutions, like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) (S. 1409), that would make tech companies design safer platforms for children to ensure a healthy relationship between social media and our communities. This bill has broad bipartisan support, but we need your help to keep the ball moving and guarantee that KOSA gets a vote before the full Senate!

Today is the KOSA Day of Action — a day to spread the word about this important piece of bipartisan legislation that places the health and well-being of children before Big Tech profits, establishes responsible safeguards by default, and disables addictive features on sites. Will you contact your senators today and tell them to support KOSA and help create a safer online environment for children?

We have momentum on this issue. KOSA is at nearly 50 cosponsors, and with your support, that number is achievable. This goal is within reach, and your voice will help make the difference.

KOSA’s major provisions include requiring platforms to affirmatively mitigate key harms through their design and operations, disabling addictive product features, giving kids and parents tools to protect their private information, and much more.

Parents and kids are fighting the battle for a more healthy and safe online environment. They can’t do it alone. Tell your senators to place responsible safeguards on social platforms and support KOSA now!

Your voice makes a difference,

Alix Fraser
Council for Responsible Social Media Director, Issue One