Introduction
On April 30, 2024, leading children's advocacy groups launched a campaign demanding that Congress pass legislation to regulate dangerous social media platforms. This initiative comes three months after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's televised apology to parents regarding the harms of social media on children. The campaign features a digital clock on ActionNotApologies.org that counts the time since the apology, highlighting the urgency for legislative action. Key features of the campaign include:
- Digital Clock: A visual reminder of the time elapsed since the apology, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
- Grassroots Petition: A platform for supporters to demonstrate their backing for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0).
- Mobile Billboard Ads: Targeted advertisements aimed at congressional decision-makers and influential leaders in media.
This campaign is supported by a coalition of organizations dedicated to children's online safety, including Common Sense Media, the American Psychological Association, and Fairplay, among others. The urgency of this campaign is underscored by the increasing attention to the negative impacts of social media on youth, with calls for Congress to act decisively to protect children and teens online.