The Honorable Charles Schumer

Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Minority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mike Johnson

Speaker 
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries

Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives 
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leader Jeffries,

The attached letter is from 7,500 parents and families from New York, Kentucky, and Louisiana who are strongly urging you pass the Kids Online Safety Act. This landmark, bipartisan youth online safety bill is now cosponsored by two-thirds of the United States Senate, including Leader Schumer, and a House version has recently been introduced and received wide bipartisan support in a recent committee hearing. It’s poised to become the first federal legislation to protect kids online to pass in 25 years.

As you begin negotiations on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, we strongly urge you to advance the Kids Online Safety Act in the FAA reauthorization. 

Parents like Crystal W. from Williamston, NY know that every day that goes by without the protections KOSA will give kids puts New York children at risk. “My child suffers from anxiety and depression, which all stemmed from the start of social media usage. My child went through 4 years of self harm, eating disorder, and suicidal ideology. It was a nightmare.”

Courtney B, a mom from Bellevue, LA, also watched her child struggle. “My daughter learned how to self-harm from social media. She fell into depression and ended up in a mental health hospital.”  

Penny D. of Hopkinsville, KY said “My three youngest children have been greatly affected by social media. My 17-year-old son goes to the gym for hours everyday and his body is absolutely perfect but he tells us how he just isn’t where he needs to be with his body yet, that he needs to be bigger. My youngest baby girl is only 10 years old and we have seen major changes in her confidence, self worth, and happiness.” 

If passed, KOSA would make all platforms – including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Discord  – take real steps to ensure their platforms aren’t harming young people. That means no more sending kids down dangerous and deadly rabbit holes of pro-suicide and eating disorders content; no more enticing them to attempt dangerous challenges; and no more design features that make children more vulnerable to predation, drug dealers, and cyberbullying. 

With the passage of the bill forcing a Tik Tok sale in a foreign aid bill, the U.S. Congress showed they can advance legislation regulating Big Tech when they want to. However, this bill does nothing to protect young users and future generations from the faulty design and deadly products Big Tech has created. We need real change and real leadership now.

Fortunately, you have the power to deliver that safety to millions of kids and families. Parents like Jamie D from Chalmette, LA, are counting on it. “I’m a mother and an educator. Social media and phones are killing our children. Depression, anxiety, suicide…so many horrible things. Our children and our future is at stake.”

We are always happy to connect you with more families to talk about why they need action on KOSA now. Please let us know how we can be of assistance to you and your team.

Thanks so much,

Shelby Knox

Campaign Director, ParentsTogether Action