By Ashwin Verghese, Fairplay Communications Director
In this political climate, I can understand if you’re feeling doubtful. Doubtful that this Congress will pass any laws to protect kids online. Doubtful that Big Tech can be reined in. Doubtful that advocates like us even matter anymore.
But last week in Washington, DC, I saw firsthand that our movement can still make a difference, even in these uncertain times. And that’s because we have a powerful political force on our side that frightens even Mark Zuckerberg and his fellow tech billionaires: We have parents.
On March 26, my Fairplay colleague Haley Hinkle and I attended a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on “The World Wild Web: Examining Harms Online.” We were joined by Christine McComas and Mia and Todd Minor, three members of ParentsSOS, the network of survivor parents that Fairplay co-founded with David’s Legacy Foundation. Like all the moms and dads in the group, Chris, Mia, and Todd have lost children to online harms like deadly viral challenges and suicide after vicious cyberbullying. But they’ve turned their grief into action, advocating tirelessly for Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) so that no other family has to experience their pain.
KOSA was one of the bills discussed at the hearing last week. And while the conversation had a predictable amount of partisan acrimony, one thing became very clear: Members of Congress still recognize the power of survivor parents and their stories.
Throughout the hearing, representatives from both parties took time out to acknowledge Chris, Mia, and Todd as they held up photos of the children they lost to online harms: Grace McComas, forever age 15, and Matthew Minor, forever age 12. Rep. Kathy Castor, KOSA’s main Democratic sponsor in the House, came over and spoke to the parents before the hearing began. Meanwhile, Rep. Erin Houchin, a Republican from Indiana, shared the stories of several ParentsSOS children: Mason Bogard, forever age 15; Annalee Schott, forever age 18; Becca Schmill, forever age 18; and Walker Montgomery, forever age 16. Check out the clip below:
Yet the Committee members did more than just offer their thoughts and prayers. They also committed to moving forward on KOSA. The Committee chair, Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., pledged that a bill would pass this year. And in a rare moment of bipartisan resolve, Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan, said, “Let’s just pledge to work with each other and get these bills done” — to which Rep. Gus Bilirakis, KOSA’s main GOP House sponsor, replied by pointing at the photos of “these beautiful children here.” Addressing Chris, Mia, and Todd, Bilirakis said, “You are going to make a difference, and we are going to work together to get this done.”
At a time like this, I’m thrilled to have a cause like ours to work on. I’m grateful to all the survivor parents who so courageously take action to prevent other families from suffering their tragedies. And I’m thankful to all of you in the Fairplay community who are keeping us going strong in 2025 and beyond. We have a lot more we can accomplish together, and I look forward to being part of that mission with you.