Jim Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense, Issues Statement After Hearing with Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube

Common Sense Media
Tuesday, October 26, 2021

San Francisco (October 26, 2021)—Today's Senate hearing with executives from Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube is an important step in ensuring kids' protections online amid rising concerns over social media platforms' harm to their safety and wellbeing. Big Tech continues to prey on young kids' vulnerabilities for financial gain. As Senator Ed Markey stated, "A 13-year-old girl has no privacy rights on these apps." Minors are exposed to drugs, eating disorders, sexual content and problematic viral challenges all while constantly being nudged by algorithms to continue consuming that dangerous content. Any purported efforts by tech companies to safeguard children are simply not enough. These companies need to be reined in through legislation, such as updating COPPA, reforming Section 230, and passing the KIDS Act, to create real protections for children.

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About Common Sense
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Learn more at commonsense.org.

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