For Immediate Release:
August 1, 2024
Contact:
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Gaithersburg, MD ﹣ April McClain Delaney released the following statement applauding the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), and called on the House to follow the Senate’s lead and pass the package when Congress returns in September.
“In a groundbreaking, bipartisan move to enhance the safety of children in the digital age, the Senate rightfully voted to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). These bills represent the most significant legislative action in decades to regulate social media’s impact on children and teens, and are a critical step forward towards reining in Big Tech, and putting the safety and wellbeing of our kids above corporate profit.
As a longtime advocate for online safety in the digital era, I know that our youth are facing a mental health crisis. As technology continues to evolve, so do the risks and challenges that our children face online. From exposure to harmful content, to the threats of cyberbullying and exploitation, to the risks posed by advanced and unregulated AI﹣the digital world presents unique dangers that require our immediate and robust action. This legislation will address these concerns head-on, and implement comprehensive safeguards to our children’s online experiences.
The passage of KOSA and COPPA 2.0 would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of child advocacy groups, technology and media experts, and our leaders in Congress, who have put partisanship aside to come together and pass common sense legislation that will make a difference in the lives of our children and families. Our work is not over, and I call on the House to immediately pass this legislation when Congress resumes in September. But today, we celebrate this significant achievement.
April McClain Delaney is running for Congress in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. She is a longtime advocate for online safety, and founder of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of Common Sense Media, a leading nonprofit dedicated to understanding the impact of media on children and teens in the digital era.
