Senator ⁢Marsha Blackburn Urges ‌Passage of Children’s Online Safety Act

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) ⁣has released a video emphasizing‌ the urgent need to pass the⁢ Children’s Online Safety Act (KOSA), a​ bill aimed at strengthening ​children’s‍ digital​ safety and privacy.

In a 2-minute⁤ and 30-second video, Blackburn shares the story of a ‍Tennessee woman whose ‍17-year-old son, Vaughn Thomas, tragically lost his life after taking fentanyl-laced pills purchased on Snapchat.

Thomas struggled⁤ with fentanyl addiction⁣ and ⁢died after taking what his mother described as “fake Xanax.” His mother, Cathy, recounts⁣ the devastating⁤ moment she found her ⁢son unresponsive, having taken what he thought was Xanax but ‍was ⁣actually ‌counterfeit and ​laced‌ with ⁣fentanyl.

When ​Blackburn asked⁢ how he obtained the pills, Cathy revealed that some may have been acquired ​through the ​social media ​platform Snapchat.

“One⁤ mistake should not have resulted in⁢ Vaughn-Thomas ‍being sentenced to death,” Cathy‍ said.

Blackburn, a co-author of the ‍KOSA bill with Senator⁢ Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.),⁣ emphasizes ⁢that ‍the bill would require social‌ media platforms to “design for safety and take due care ​to ensure that.”

The bill aims to create regulations governing ‌the types ‍of features ⁢that tech and social​ media companies⁢ can offer to minors online, ⁣following ​years​ of advocacy about the ⁣potential dangers ⁣of social ‍media and its impact‍ on youth mental health.

Blackburn highlights the alarming statistic that ⁤over 100,000 Americans die each year from fentanyl-related‍ overdoses, with many cases linked to online purchases.

The KOSA bill passed the Senate with‌ overwhelming support, 91-3, in ‌late July as part of a package that included the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, also known as COPPA ‍2.0.

However, the ‍bill has stalled ‌in the House due to resistance from leadership, who argue that it could trigger censorship of the press and give the Federal Trade Commission new ⁢powers.

Parents‍ who have⁢ lost⁢ children or seen⁤ them seriously harmed due to social media have gathered ‍outside the ‌Capitol, urging ⁣lawmakers to pass‌ the bill.

Blackburn⁣ and Blumenthal’s offices have confirmed that dozens⁤ of parents and⁤ teens from various advocacy ⁤groups will⁤ be meeting with House staff to urge them to support KOSA.