Government Can Help Parents Against Big Tech

COMMENTARY Big Tech

Government Can Help Parents Against Big Tech

Aug 14, 2024 1 min read
COMMENTARY BY
Kara Frederick

Director, Tech Policy Center

Kara is Director of the Tech Policy Center at The Heritage Foundation.
Keiko Iwabuchi/Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Parents like me need help beyond admonitions to be a better parent when facing off against Big Tech companies. I know because I worked at one.

At issue is that companies are aware of these effects on American youth and yet continue to target them.

If the Kids Online Safety Act passes, the Federal Trade Commission and state AGs wouldn’t be acting in loco parentis, but instead serving as our force multipliers.

Parents like me need help beyond admonitions to be a better parent when facing off against Big Tech companies. I know because I worked at one.

As 42 attorneys general allege, these companies deliberately design their products to addict children. Internal Facebook research revealed that Facebook created a team to draw preteens to its platform, citing them as a “valuable but untapped” audience. Several studies now reify a causal connection to the use of these products and negative effects on kids (“Congress Tries to Protect Children Online,” Review & Outlook, July 31).

At issue is that companies are aware of these effects on American youth and yet continue to target them. This deliberate, sustained exploitation of kids crosses the line and invites robust legislative action.

If the Kids Online Safety Act passes the House, the Federal Trade Commission and state AGs wouldn’t be acting in loco parentis, but instead serving as our force multipliers. They will be the deterrence and the teeth backing us up against trillions of dollars in market cap. That, along with expanded technical controls and mandated transparency, is empowering parents like me.

This letter originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal