Common Sense Media Unveils "Kids' Agenda in the AI Era" at Second Annual Summit on Kids and Families

SAN FRANCISCO, March 26, 2025—Common Sense Media concluded its second annual Common Sense Summit on Kids and Families, bringing together over 500 policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and advocates to address the mounting challenges facing America's children and families. The two-day event culminated in the announcement of a comprehensive "Kids' Agenda in the AI Era"—a blueprint designed to guide the nation toward a more child-centered future.

The Summit arrived at a pivotal moment, as revealed by Common Sense Media's nationwide poll. The research uncovered remarkable consensus across political lines: 83% of Americans believe children's well-being should be a top national priority. The study also found widespread concern about specific issues:

• 58% of parents and 61% of children report that things are going "just fair" or "poorly" for families in America today.
• Nearly two-thirds of parents believe social media has negatively impacted children.
• 86% of parents believe that better K–12 public schools would substantially improve children's lives, and 82% of parents support increased funding for early childhood education.
• 77% of parents say more tax credits for programs that support families would make the lives of America's children better off.
• 61% of parents don't trust the federal government to make policies that benefit young people and families in the coming years.

"We stand at a genuine crossroads for the next generation," said James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media. "While these poll findings reveal significant challenges, they also give me tremendous hope. For the first time in years, I'm seeing extraordinary consensus on what matters most—our children's future. Across party lines, Americans are united in their desire to act in families' best interests. This shared commitment creates an unprecedented opportunity to build transformative solutions together. I'm genuinely optimistic that by harnessing this collective will and the innovative tools of the AI era, we can create a truly kids-first America where every child has the opportunity to flourish safely online."

In response to these findings, Common Sense Media introduced the foundational goals that constitute its "Kids' Agenda in the AI Era":

1. Guarantee Every Child's Right to Tech Safety and Privacy: Implementing comprehensive protections for children's data, as well as mandatory age verification systems, and prohibiting exploitative practices targeting minors.
2. Prevent Health Crises and End the Youth Mental Health Emergency: Ensuring every school has proper mental health resources, expanding services in communities, and holding technology companies accountable for their role in these challenges.
3. Close the Reading Gap and Reverse Learning Loss: Establishing universal preschool and after-school programs, achieving literacy for all children by third grade, and mobilizing resources to address pandemic-related educational setbacks.
4. Prepare Every Young American to Thrive in the AI Era: Expanding tax credits for families, creating dedicated education accounts, ensuring equitable access to AI-enabled resources, and building meaningful career pathways.

"These aren't just institutional priorities," emphasized Steyer. "They reflect what families themselves are telling us they desperately need. The remarkable consensus we're seeing across traditional dividing lines presents an unprecedented opportunity for action."

For more information about the Common Sense Summit and the Kids' Agenda in the AI Era, visit www.commonsense.org/summit.