Advocates for children’s online safety say big tech platforms, including those powered by AI, are built to keep users hooked, and kids are paying the price.
In Michigan, Senate Democrats have introduced a package of bills known as “Kids Over Clicks” to strengthen online safety and privacy protections for children. Jennifer Tuksal is director of the Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools and member of the Michigan Kids Code Coalition. She says the bills are aimed at rethinking how platforms for kids are designed.
“This legislation focuses on safety by design standards for digital platforms used by minors,” Tuskal said. “Things like stronger privacy protections, reducing harmful algorithm application, and making sure companies consider child safety from the start.”
From a health perspective, pediatricians say families are often overwhelmed by fast-changing apps and platforms, and warn the overuse can affect sleep, mental health, and overall development. Pediatrician and child health advocate Dr. Elizabeth Hill says the legislation would make online safety a shared responsibility.
“What I like about this legislation is that it puts some of that burden back on the companies who are producing these platforms to make sure that they’re doing their part to keep kids safe online by defaulting to the highest privacy and safety settings, and therefore that takes some of the weight off of parents’ shoulders.”
Hill compares online safety legislation to a bike helmet — a tool that allows kids to participate in an activity with proper protection.
Research shows what kids see online doesn’t always stay online. Being able to hide behind a screen can make some teens more likely to take risks or copy dangerous trends in real life.
