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

UPDATE: Parents across the U.S. are urgently calling on Senator Ted Cruz to champion the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to protect children from the growing dangers of social media. With reports confirming that Big Tech prioritizes profit over safety, advocates stress that immediate action is critical to safeguard vulnerable youth.

Parents like Anna McAdams are sharing heartbreaking stories of their children victimized online. Her daughter, Elliston Berry, fell prey to deepfake technology at just 14 years old, when a male classmate used AI to manipulate innocent photos, creating fake nude images that circulated for nine months despite multiple appeals to social media platforms. “We felt helpless,” McAdams stated, emphasizing that without new laws, Big Tech will continue to evade responsibility.

In response to the mounting pressures from parents and advocates, Cruz previously supported the Take It Down Act, which made it a felony to exploit individuals through nonconsensual intimate images. The act was drafted and signed into law in just four months, showcasing Cruz’s potential influence in enacting critical legislation.

Now, parents are rallying for Cruz to use his position as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce to expedite KOSA, which addresses the root problems of predatory designs that ensnare children online. Fellow advocate Maurine Molak, whose son David Molak tragically took his life due to relentless cyberbullying in January 2016, highlighted the urgent need for KOSA. “We can’t let more children fall victim to online dangers,” she remarked.

KOSA aims to impose a duty of care on social media companies, holding them accountable for the addictive and harmful practices that endanger minors. The legislation would specifically target issues such as suicide promotion, substance abuse, and online sexual exploitation, along with enhancing privacy protections for children and empowering parents with new control tools.

Despite passing the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 91-3 in July 2024, House leaders have stalled progress, influenced by a multi-million dollar lobbying campaign from Big Tech. Rep. Brett Guthrie, chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, indicated that the committee will revisit kids’ online safety as government operations resume. However, concerns linger that proposed legislation could weaken KOSA’s provisions.

Cruz’s ability to advocate for a vote mirrors his previous success with the Take It Down Act, which underscores the pressing need for KOSA’s swift passage. Nearly two-thirds of Senators, a filibuster-proof majority, are already co-sponsors of KOSA, demonstrating strong support across party lines.

As parents and advocates gather momentum, they emphasize that the time for action is NOW. “We owe it to American families to act decisively and pass the strongest protections possible for our children,” McAdams urged. The emotional weight of these stories and the lives impacted by online dangers cannot be overlooked.

Parents are demanding immediate accountability and action from lawmakers. Cruz’s leadership could be the key to ensuring KOSA is not only passed but implemented to create a safer online environment for all children. As stories of tragic losses continue to resonate, the call for urgent legislative action grows louder, underscoring the critical need for reform in the realm of online safety.