We all love our children. We all appreciate how technology has made our lives easier. We do not appreciate the psychological tricks tech designers use to manipulate our minds and, more importantly, the vulnerable minds of our children.

It is now clear that tech profits come at the expense of the mental health of our children. Given clear evidence, the U.S. Senate in a 91-3 vote passed the Kids Online Safety act.

Thirty-two state attorneys general in November called on Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, stating in a letter, “These platforms make their products addictive to minor users, and then profit from selling minor user data to advertisers,” the letter continued. “Minor users receive endless tailored and toxic content.

In December, House Speaker Mike Johnson promised to address this issue in the new year. Please contact your member of Congress and make clear that the Kids Online Safety Act is needed and will not censor “content,” rather it affects “design.” It will give needed controls to parents.

The legislation includes 1. Strongest privacy settings for kids under 16 by default; 2. Restricts addictive product features for minors; 3. Mandate companies remove design features that have been proven to be harmful. Please ask your member of Congress to vote yes when the Kids Online Safety Act comes up for a vote in the coming weeks.

-Julie Brannaman

Lisbon