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Platform Accountability

Reducing Online Harms to Kids and Teens 

Social media platforms are - obviously - enormously popular. And while they can be fun, informational, and helpful with school, work, and business, they also are contributing to a growing crisis in kids' mental health and safety and a dangerous deterioration in our civic discourse, and even in our democracy itself.

One way to reduce online harms from social media platforms is to improve online transparency, for our kids, and all consumers. It's critical that tech platforms are clear about the source of the content they publish and that news literacy is a priority. We advocate for policies to hold digital platforms accountable so that they won't harm kids and teens or spread misinformation and disinformation. And we strongly support widespread incorporation of digital citizenship education in U.S. schools to help kids, and their families, become smarter and safer users of the internet.

Read more about our views on Platform Accountability in our Proposals for Legislative Reform.

Curious about our work in California? Check out these VIDEOS on a slate of platform accountability and privacy bills that we currently sponsor:

  • VIDEO: CA Bill AB 2273, The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act
  • VIDEO: CA Bill AB 2486, Office for the Protection of Children Online
  • VIDEO: CA Bill AB 2284, Digital Literacy and Media Literacy Grant Program
  • VIDEO: CA Bill AB 2408, Banning Addictive Features to Kids

And wondering what the Metaverse is and how it might impact your kids? Check out our NEW Metaverse Report.

Additional resources:

  • 2022 CA Legislative Priorities
  • Kids Online Safety Act 2022 Fact Sheet
  • Coalition Letter on CAMRA Act, January 2022
  • List of Social Media Harms 2021
  • CAMRA Fact Sheet
  • Common Sense Media Advocates for 50% Increase in FTC Budget for 2022
  • Social Media Voter Scorecard
  • Road Map for Kids' Digital Well-Being

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