Hi Friend –

Last week on Capitol Hill, Big Tech CEOs testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about their platforms' failure to protect kids online. And let’s just say, things got intense.

This is what happened:

The hearing room was packed with parents, kids, and advocates eager to hear from the CEOs themselves. Some advocates wore black t-shirts with a poignant message, "I'm worth more than $270," a direct nod to Meta's estimated lifetime value of a young person to the company. [1]

For over three hours, the committee didn't hold back, grilling the CEOs on their shortcomings to safeguard children online. However, the responses were disappointingly familiar: denial, distraction, and deflection.

But a significant moment emerged when Senator Josh Hawley confronted Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta. He demanded an apology for the parents of victims of online exploitation present in the room. In a silent chamber, Zuckerberg stood to face survivor parents holding photos of their loved ones lost to the harms of social media, and appeared to acknowledge their pain. [2]

Friend, Mark Zuckerberg's apology is an admission of guilt. But it’s nowhere near enough. He – along with these other Big Tech CEOs – will continue to harm kids without meaningful action. But that’s why we joined our partners on Capitol Hill after the hearing to host a rally to protect kids online. We heard from elected officials, young people, and parents who have lost their loved ones due to unregulated social media platforms. Our message to Congress is clear: Pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Urge your senators to support KOSA.

Email your senators

It has been 25 years since Congress last passed legislation to protect kids online. Meanwhile, as the hearing demonstrated, there is clear evidence that platforms have knowingly created harmful products and systematically failed to address these harms. KOSA is a bill that would hold platforms and big tech companies accountable for ensuring that young users are safe while on their platforms. [3]

We already know Big Tech won’t self-regulate. We need Congress to act. Urge your Senator to protect young people online and support KOSA.

Thanks for being in this fight with us,

Nicole Gill
Co-founder and Executive Director
Accountable Tech

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1. Washington Post: Social media CEOs testify

2. CBS News: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to parents of victims of online exploitation in heated Senate hearing

3. Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA): Bill Summary