Protecting kids online

Dear friends and neighbors, Parents should be able to put their children to bed at night and trust they are safe. As parents, we would never let harmful content, drug dealers, or child predators have access to our children. But through the internet, social media, and predatory algorithms, all of these dangers can spend one-on-one time with our kids without ever physically breaching the front door. That is why I introduced Sammy’s Law , bipartisan legislation that would give parents access to trusted third-party safety tools to help them better understand what their children are encountering online. I recently sat down with Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Sam Chapman, whose 16-year-old son, Sammy, tragically lost his life after purchasing a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl from a drug dealer who contacted him through social media. View the podcast here . Protecting children in the digital world During our conversation, Mr. Chapman shared Sammy’s story and why he has become an advocate for giving parents the tools they need to protect their children online. His family’s experience is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers children face today online. “If Sammy’s Law had been in place when Sammy was alive, he’d still be here today. So, for the ones who were left behind, what you all are doing can be lifesaving,” said Mr. Chapman. Senator Britt spoke about raising children in today’s digital age, while Senator Warner emphasized the need for Congress to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology. Although we come from different states and political parties, we are all parents. We agreed on one thing: protecting children online should never be a partisan issue. Sammy’s Law would require large social media platforms to make trusted third-party safety software available to parents. These tools can alert parents to warning signs of dangerous online activity, including cyberbullying, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, sexual harassment, and drug-related interactions, allowing families to step in before tragedy strikes. We should protect children in the digital world the same way we protect them in the physical world . Sammy’s Law is about putting parents back in charge and giving them the tools they need to keep their children safe. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance Sammy’s Law and ensure parents have the resources to protect their children online. Sammy’s Law is one part of my broader effort to protect children from the dangers they face online. Here are other ways: Stopping Illegal Minor Simulations Act (SIMS) I’m leading the SIMS Act to impose criminal and civil penalties on those who create AI chatbots designed to imitate children and engage in sexually explicit conversations. No Fentanyl on Social Media Act This bill would direct the FTC to examine how drug traffickers use social media to sell fentanyl to minors and recommend ways Congress can stop this growing threat. Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) I joined this bipartisan legislation to give families stronger safety tools and require online platforms to limit addictive features and harmful content directed at children. Children Harmed by AI Technology Act (CHAT) and CHAT Act 2.0 I’m leading the bipartisan CHAT Act 2.0 , building off my original CHAT Act, which would establish a federal framework to protect minors from harms associated with companion artificial intelligence chatbots through a tiered, risk-based approach. There is still more work to be done, but these are important steps toward better protecting children online. I am working every day to address emerging threats, equip parents with more tools to keep their families safe, and hold bad actors accountable. We will continue advancing commonsense solutions to ensure the internet is a safe place for our kids. We’re here to help Customer service is my top priority. My team and I have offices across Ohio to help our nearly 11.9 million neighbors. You can find the office locations here . As your U.S. Senator, my number one goal is to be a resource for you. If you’re having issues with federal agencies, you can fill out a form here for help. You can also call my Columbus office at (614) 369-4925 to speak with a dedicated member of my casework team. Stay in touch You can keep up with the work I’m doing on behalf of Ohioans by signing up for my newsletter and following me on X at @SenJonHusted , Facebook at www.facebook.com/SenJonHusted , YouTube at @SenJonHusted , and Instagram at @SenJonHusted . 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