UNICEF USA: ‘We must protect the online safety of children’
The USA division of global children’s charity UNICEF is pushing for new national online safety laws to protect youngsters.
Through the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), it hopes that more children and young people can be protected from the harms of social media and ensure digital platforms contribute positively to their well-being.
Every half second, says UNICEF, somewhere in the world, a child goes online for the first time, and at the same time this means that parents and lawmakers are having to quickly learn how to navigate this new reality.
And while the internet offers young people access to hugely diverse resources of information, culture and entertainment, even playing a role in building connections by enabling them to be a part of communities and interact with others who share their interests and passions, there is no escaping the reality that dangers are also ever-present.
UNICEF USA highlights recent research showing that increased internet use among adolescents can lead to heightened anxiety and a higher likelihood of developing depression. This direct correlation between digital engagement and mental health challenges emphasises the need for safer online environments.
The charity is now calling for robust support systems and investments in mental health services, and these efforts are supported by legislative measures like the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), aimed at enhancing online safety and ensuring that digital platforms contribute positively to the well-being of young people.
Following the US Senate’s recent passing of legislation known as KOSA, 91-3, UNICEF USA says that it ‘applauds the bipartisan effort to prioritise the digital safety of the most vulnerable internet users: children’.
“This legislation represents a significant step forward in addressing the increasing challenges of the online world that affect childrenâs mental health and well-being.
“By mandating enhanced safety measures and increasing transparency from digital platforms, KOSA could serve as a critical tool in transforming the online environment into a safer space that nurtures young minds and shields them from potential harm,” it adds.
The charity has vowed to continue its advocacy for comprehensive and accessible mental health services for children and adolescents, ensuring that young people ‘not only survive but thrive in an increasingly digital future’.
