Urgent Call for Ted Cruz to Pass Kids Online Safety Act NOW

UPDATE: Parents across the United States are sounding the alarm on the urgent need for stronger protections against social media dangers as they call on Senator Ted Cruz to champion the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This comes in the wake of disturbing accounts of children being victimized online and the failure of existing laws to keep pace with the explosive growth of technology.

Parents like Anna McAdams are sharing harrowing stories of their children being subjected to deepfake technology. Anna’s daughter, Elliston Berry, was only 14 when a male classmate manipulated innocent photos shared on Instagram, turning them into explicit images that circulated for nine months. Despite repeated pleas to social media companies for removal, the images remained, highlighting a dangerous gap in legal protections for minors.

Cruz, who previously supported the Take It Down Act, understands the critical need for legislative action. Under this law, it became a felony to publish nonconsensual intimate images, mandating that tech companies remove such content within 48 hours of notification. Now, parents are urging him to leverage his position as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce to push KOSA forward.

In another tragic case, Maurine Molak recounted the devastating impact of cyberbullying on her son, David Molak. After enduring relentless harassment and struggling with addiction to social media and online gaming, David tragically took his life in January 2016. Maurine transformed her grief into action by advocating for David’s Law, which introduced criminal penalties for online bullying in Texas.

KOSA aims to address the root causes of online dangers, holding social media companies accountable for addictive designs that lead to issues like suicide, eating disorders, and sexual exploitation. It would impose a duty of care on these platforms, enhancing privacy settings for children and expanding parental controls.

The urgency for KOSA is palpable amid growing evidence of Big Tech’s negligence. Reports reveal that since 2019, numerous congressional hearings and whistleblower testimonies have shown that tech giants are aware of the detrimental effects of their algorithms on youth yet continue to prioritize profits over safety.

KOSA has garnered bipartisan support, passing the Senate in July 2024 with a resounding vote of 91-3. However, following a multimillion-dollar lobbying effort from tech companies, House leaders have stalled its progress. Concerns are rising that any House version may dilute the Senate’s strong protections.

Cruz previously pressured the House to take action on the Take It Down Act, successfully guiding it to a vote. Parents are now counting on him to repeat that strategy for KOSA, emphasizing that mere passage through the committee could create the necessary momentum for a vote.

With nearly two-thirds of Senators co-sponsoring KOSA, the time is ripe for action. As the legislative session unfolds, parents are imploring lawmakers to prioritize children’s safety and pass the strongest protections possible. The stakes are high, and the collective voices of American families demand immediate attention.

Next Steps: Advocates for KOSA are mobilizing in the coming weeks, urging parents and concerned citizens to contact their representatives and push for a vote. The call for action is not just a plea; it’s a lifeline to protect children from the predatory designs of social media.

As more families come forward with their stories, the urgency for legislative action grows. The fight for KOSA is not just about policy; it’s about safeguarding the future of America’s youth in an increasingly digital world.