We Need to Keep Kids Safe Online: California has the Solution

We have a Tech Crisis

Every day children are using a digital world that is designed by and for adults, where they are nudged to give up their privacy, offered harmful material, and exposed to risky contacts and behaviors.

To protect Californian children’s privacy and safety online, California State Assembly members Buffy Wicks (D) and Jordan Cunningham (R) have introduced the bipartisan California Age Appropriate Design Code Bill (AB 2273).

With this Bill, California has the chance to lead the way in making the digital world safe for American children.

The digital world California young people and parents want

On March 29 2022, the GoodforMEdia team provided testimony to the State Assembly on how to improve online experiences for young people. Hear more from young people or share your story.

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All three of my kids are up all night using all of the social media apps I checked off above. It is hard to get them to go to bed and get up for school.

Since COVID it's harder to limit my daughter's screen time than before and frequently I have issues getting her to go on walks or do things she used to enjoy.

Stop the manipulation. My 10 yr old granddaughter has been taunted to partake in some harmful TikTok tricks.

[Social Media] feels like the most overwhelming aspect of being a parent these days.

Teens Speak Out

Young people call for a design code.

What would the Kids Code do?

If the California Age Appropriate Design Code were passed into law, companies would have to consider the privacy and protection of children in the design of any digital product or service that children in California are likely to access.

We know the practical impact this can have on children, because the Bill is based on a UK law that has already prompted Silicon Valley’s biggest names to innovate in the best interests of UK children. For instance:

Google have made SafeSearch the default browsing mode for all under 18s.
YouTube have turned off autoplay for under 18s and break and bedtime reminders are turned on by default.
TikTok and Instagram have disabled direct messages between children and adults they do not follow.
The Google Play Store now prevents under 18s from viewing and downloading apps rated as adult-only.

These are just a handful of changes that will make children’s experience online safer.