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

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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.

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A child seeing a distorted reflection of themselves in a smartphone

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.
Tabecka, Oakland, CA
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.
Joe M., San Francisco, CA
Stop the manipulation. My 10 yr old granddaughter has been taunted to partake in some harmful TikTok tricks.
LT L., Sacramento
[Social Media] feels like the most overwhelming aspect of being a parent these days.
Anonymous California Parent
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Teens Speak Out

Young people call for a design code.

Design It for Us
Open Letter to Tech CEOs

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.

We have a Tech Crisis

Californian children deserve these protections too.

An Introduction to the Bill
Safer by design: the impact the Code would have

Support for the California Age Appropriate Design Code

Buffy Wicks - Assemblymember of California State Assembly, District 15
Jordan Cunningham - Assemblymember of California State Assembly, District 35

What people are saying about the Bill

Tweet from Frances Haugen - I'm encouraged to see lawmakers in California - a republican (Jordan Cunningham) and a Democrat (Buffy Wicks) - teaming up to protect kids' privacy and safety online. Whatever your party affiliation, the wellbeing of kids matters.
Tweet from Shoshana Zuboff - Last century child labor laws protected kids from explotation. Now, how to protect kids from #SurveillanceCapitalism? We should start with the CA Age Appropriate Design Code Bill introduced by Buffy Wicks and Jordan Cunningham. A similar UK law is producing real change.

#CAKidsCode

Accountable Tech @accountabletech ·
29 Nov

For far too long, social media companies have prioritized profits over the well-being of children.

The passage of the #CAKidsCode has helped set the stage for a new era in online accountability and changes from platforms to mitigate harms to kids. https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/21/meta-rolls-out-new-privacy-updates-teens-instagram-facebook/

Nichole Rapier Rocha @rapierrocha ·
17 Nov

Great write-up by @AustinJ_Reports and @PluribusNews. A safer internet for our youth coming to a state near you! #AB2273 #CAKidsCode @5RightsFound
https://pluribusnews.com/news-and-events/californias-child-digital-privacy-law-could-inspire-bills-across-the-country/

Enigma2Me @enigma2mevideos ·
16 Nov

#KidsOnlineSafetyAct (#KOSA) This is just pure scum. "Think of the Children" groups and their #EARNITAct #PROTECTAct #AB2273 #CAKidsCode are dangerous; they'll do ANYTHING to harm LGBT people under the pretense of saving kids. #StopInternetCensorship

Mike Stabile @mikestabile

Axios reporting that the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) will be folded into a larger omnibus bill later this year. The bill, which ostensibly protects children from harmful content, could result in widespread censorship of sex work and LGBTQ content.
https://www.axios.com/2022/11/16/kids-privacy-online-congress-yearend-push
Dr. Katie Davis @katiebda ·
7 Nov

It may not be perfect, but I'm hoping California's new child privacy law #CAKidsCode will increase tech companies' attention on young people's well-being https://pew.org/3FLHGpK via @pewtrusts

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How can I support the California Age Appropriate Design Code?

Sign the petition

Tell California lawmakers to protect kids online.

Call your legislator

Californians, use this call tool to contact Assemblymembers.

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Download our pack of shareable assets to help spread the message about the Bill.

News and information

Media inquiries: media@5rightsfoundation.com

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