Target: Maria Cantwell, Chair of U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation
Goal: Support introduction of social media measures to protect children and other online consumers from harmful content.
Many social media outlets, due to a lack of accountability, have become breeding grounds for hate speech, terrorist recruitment, child abuse, fraud, and other dangers to consumers. This ForceChange petition, among others, called on popular online sites to crack down on dangerous content. Thanks in large part to a landmark arrest against Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov, changes are finally happening.
The head of messaging platform Telegram is being held on charges that he was complicit in a number of crimes that have taken place on Telegram, including child sexual abuse, drug trafficking, and money laundering. The service is also known as a haven for extremist groups that often incite violence. After the arrest, other leaders within Telegram announced changes that would facilitate the turnover of user data from individuals with arrest records to authorities. The organization also announced more robust moderation of content deemed dangerous or illegal.
In a related move geared at protection of social media’s most vulnerable consumers, Instagram will enact stronger safeguards for minors under 18. The new effort, called Teen Accounts, will automatically set the accounts of minors to private to avoid intrusion by potential bad actors. In addition, parental supervision tools will be beefed up, and notifications will automatically be turned off during late-night hours.
Sign the petition below to encourage positive forward movement on social media safeguards.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Senator Cantwell,
The effort to hold social media outlets accountable for the bad and often-illegal actions that take place within their realms is yielding needed change. In the wake of the arrest of an influential messaging platform founder, the service at the heart of the debate has agreed to cooperate with law enforcement in criminal cases involving the platform. Further, moderation efforts will be strengthened.
Popular Meta site Instagram has also revealed plans to better shield its youngest users from harmful content and contact. The new Teen Accounts will ideally provide long-overdue safeguards for minors. Without the continued diligence of lawmakers who demand accountability, these concessions would have likely never occurred.
Thank you for helping pave a path forward toward a safer and healthier social media landscape.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Solen Feyissa
13 Signatures