Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, left, and Gov. Mikie Sherrill. (Photo by Anne-Marie Caruso/New Jersey Monitor)
The state's acting attorney general has joined a coalition calling for Congressional leaders to pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act.
KOSA is meant to protect children from online harm, the group of attorneys general say.
The letter, signed by acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and 39 other attorneys general, emphasizes the urgency of Congressional action as scrutiny of social media companies intensifies and evidence mounts regarding the harmful impact of addictive design features on children and teens.
“As a mom, I understand the grip that social media platforms hold over our children," Davenport said. "As New Jersey’s chief law enforcement officer, I am horrified by how the actions of some of our largest tech companies have left kids vulnerable to predators, excessive usage, and more.
"There is no excuse: Congress must take immediate action to protect our kids online, and it must do so in a way that preserves the authority of states to take action too. I am committed to doing everything in my power to lead the fight for our kids using every tool we’ve got,” she added.
The letter also raises concern about the House version of KOSA, which would preempt states’ laws that protect kids online. The letter warns that the House version removes the Duty of Care provision in the Senate version, which requires companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm.
The Senate version of KOSA does not impede on states’ pioneering work to protect kids online, and it goes further to ensure that companies are not subjecting children to harm.
“Big Tech has made billions profiting off addictive features and algorithms that have severe negative mental health consequences for our children," Gov.Mikie Sherrill said. "They have hooked an entire generation of kids onto apps that lack basic privacy and safety safeguards, turning what were once promised as platforms for building friendships and staying connected into systems that profit from harm. As a parent, that is unacceptable.
“As governor, it is my job to protect the children of our state from online harm and exploitation," she added. "I urge Congress to take swift action to better protect our kids online in a way that supports states, because New Jersey will continue to hold anyone who threatens the well-being of our kids accountable.”
States and territories joining New Jersey in sending the letter to Congressional leadership include Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio, and Tennessee, which sponsored the letter, as well as American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wyoming.
