MoveOn has not yet reviewed this petition. If you agree with it, please sign and share it!

To: House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce

"Safe Teens Online Act (STOA): Expanding Digital Protections for Ages 13–17"

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to urge you to support and champion the introduction and passage of the Safe Teens Online Act (STOA), a proposed law that would expand online protections for teens aged 13 to 17, ensuring they have the same level of safety and privacy protections as younger children.

As you may know, current laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) offer robust privacy protections for children under the age of 13, but there remains a significant gap in protections for teenagers. Our children and teens are exposed to a rapidly evolving digital landscape, where the risks of cyberbullying, online exploitation, data privacy violations, and harmful content continue to grow.

The Safe Teens Online Act (STOA) aims to address these gaps by:

  1. Expanding Privacy Protections: Ensuring that platforms obtain explicit parental consent before collecting personal data from teens.
  2. Regulating Harmful Algorithms: Requiring social media platforms and other online services to disable harmful algorithms that target vulnerable teens with inappropriate content.
  3. Enhancing Cyberbullying Prevention: Mandating stronger measures to detect and prevent cyberbullying and harassment.
  4. Ensuring Data Security: Strengthening security requirements for storing and sharing teen data to prevent breaches and misuse.
  5. Promoting Mental Health: Implementing safeguards to minimize the negative impact of excessive screen time and social media usage on the mental well-being of teens.
As a concerned advocate for child and teen safety, I believe this is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. By addressing these concerns, we can ensure that the next generation of Americans can grow up in a safer, more supportive online environment.

I urge you to take action by championing the Safe Teens Online Act and working with colleagues in Congress to craft legislation that prioritizes the well-being and safety of our nation's youth. I am confident that with your leadership, we can create a safer digital future for teens across the country.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and to working with you to make online safety a priority for all young people.

Sincerely,
Terrence S. Harvey
Cyber Bros Against Cyberbullying
CEO and Founder

Why is this important?

People should join the Safe Teens Online Act (STOA) campaign because:

1. Protecting Vulnerable Teens

  • Teens (ages 13-17) are exposed to online risks like cyberbullying, online predators, and harmful content, yet they lack the same robust protections that younger children receive under current laws. By supporting this campaign, people help ensure that teens have the same level of online safety.

2. Empowering Parents

  • Parents should have the right to protect their children’s privacy online. With this law, parents will have more control over their teens' online experiences, including the ability to consent to data collection and monitor their activity more effectively.

3. Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being

  • Excessive screen time, social media pressure, and exposure to harmful content can negatively impact teen mental health. The campaign advocates for safeguards to help mitigate these risks, contributing to healthier digital habits and improved well-being for teens.

4. Holding Tech Companies Accountable

  • Social media platforms and online services often prioritize profits over the safety of young users. This campaign seeks to impose stronger regulations on these companies, demanding they prioritize safety over engagement metrics that can exploit vulnerable teens.

5. Closing the Legal Gap

  • While COPPA protects children under 13, the legal protections for teens are limited. By joining the campaign, individuals can help close this critical gap and ensure that laws evolve with the changing digital landscape to better protect young people.

6. Fostering a Safer Online Environment for Future Generations

  • Supporting the campaign is an investment in the future, creating a digital space where children and teens can thrive without fear of exploitation, privacy violations, or mental health harms.

7. Raising Awareness

  • Joining the campaign is a way for people to raise awareness about the need for stronger protections. The more voices that speak out, the more pressure there will be on lawmakers to take action.

8. Creating a Broad Coalition

  • By coming together to support the Safe Teens Online Act, people from different backgrounds can unite for a common cause: the safety and well-being of teens. It’s an opportunity to build a collective voice that lawmakers cannot ignore.