Upcoming Bipartisan Congressional Bills Focused on Protecting Children Online

Big Tech (which includes social media platforms) is often the target of government oversight and regulation, but how or what that regulation looks like has often been a topic of much debate and disagreement. 

If last week’s Senate Judiciary hearing is any indication of what’s to come, the general consensus of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle seems to be that protecting children’s safety online is a priority for the new Congress.

According to an article recently published by Vox, “Democrats and Republicans can’t even agree on whether Big Tech platforms moderate content too much or not enough. Now, it looks like they’ve found their cause and their victims: children.”

This is most welcome news to those of us concerned with protecting the privacy and well-being of social media users, especially adolescents, as Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab, and Roberge is. 

Recently, there has been an exponential increase in teen users on social media platforms with many cases resulting in unhealthy behavior, including addiction to the applications.  Some examples of unhealthy behaviors caused or exacerbated by social media use are eating disorders, dangerous consumption of drugs, alcohol, and other substances, as well as acting as a vehicle for online bullying resulting in the self-harm of the victim.  Even sex trafficking and sexual abuse can result.  Our law firm is all too aware of these issues and recently reported in detail on the negative effects of social media.

We’ve already filed one lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, as well as two convicted rapists related to the sexual exploitation and abuse of a minor girl.

If someone you know has suffered significant emotional or physical injury as a result of using social media platforms, contact our law firm to discuss your situation at no cost to you; we are here to help.