Tag Youth Leadership

Youth Leadership
The Eagle
Oct 01, 2024
Youth-led coalition encourages responsible technology use by students

“I grew up online, I’m only 23, and so I feel like I’ve seen the way these platforms really transform,” Ellisya Lindsey, the communications associate at Accountable Tech, said. “I remember when I was younger, it was posting pictures of One Direction, and it has spiraled into something that is much more addictive and harmful.”

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
May 11, 2024
Accountable Tech Statement on the Passage of Vermont Kids Code

Accountable Tech Executive Director and Co-Founder Nicole Gill issued the following statement on the passage of the Vermont Kids Code.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
The Guardian
Apr 15, 2024
Battle lines drawn as US states take on big tech with online child safety bills

Carl Szabo, vice-president and general counsel of the tech trade association NetChoice, spoke against the Maryland bill at a state senate finance committee meeting in mid-2023 as a “lifelong Maryland resident, parent, [spouse] of a child therapist” [as shown in a tweet from Accountable Tech].

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
The Nation
Apr 11, 2024
Social Media Companies Are Having a Bad Moment

Zamaan Qureshi speaks during a rally organized by Accountable Tech and Design It For Us to hold social media companies accountable for protecting kids and teens online on January 31, 2024, in Washington, DC.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Apr 06, 2024
Accountable Tech Statement on Passage of Maryland Kids Code

Accountable Tech Executive Director and Co-Founder Nicole Gill issued the following statement on the Maryland General Assembly’s unanimous passage of the Kids Code, which now heads to Governor Wes Moore’s desk.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
New York Post
Mar 20, 2024
Parent groups urge Schumer to quickly move on bill to place safety restrictions on all social platforms

KOSA has been endorsed by a broad cross-section of groups including: Common Sense Media, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Compass, Eating Disorders Coalition, Fairplay, Mental Health America, and Digital Progress Institute. An organizer, Accountable Tech, is paying to have the letter sent to Schumer appear as an ad in the New York Times, sources said.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
AXIOS
Jan 31, 2024
Tech execs prepare to defend child-safety records

Accountable Tech and Design it for Us will hold a rally outside the Capitol following the hearing. Design it for Us is more focused on the harms it says are posed by Meta, Snap and TikTok. But it added in a statement, "That certainly doesn't excuse Discord and X."

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Dec 22, 2023
Broad Group of Advocates and Experts File Amicus Briefs Countering Big Tech’s Attack on Landmark California Law Protecting Kids Online

Groups representing nearly 2 million educators, physicians, legal experts, tech whistleblowers, technologists, plus 21 bipartisan state Attorneys General, and the FTC file briefs urging Ninth Circuit to block Big Tech’s effort to weaponize First Amendment, overturn the nation’s first comprehensive children’s privacy law and imperil existing consumer safety laws

Giliann Karon Giliann Karon
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Youth Leadership
The Messenger
Nov 20, 2023
Meta Whistleblower Just Proved Why Young People Like Me Don’t Feel Safe Online

A whopping 86% of voters support congressional action, and 82% believe social media platforms should be required to take concrete steps to protect young people online, according to a poll by Accountable Tech.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Tech Policy Press
Oct 25, 2023
State Attorneys General Sue Meta Over Harms to Children and Teens

Various civil society groups issued statements in support of the bipartisan lawsuit against Meta. Accountable Tech executive director Nicole Gill applauded the state attorneys general’s effort to “curb Big Tech’s unchecked power over our daily lives” as Meta operates “without any regard for their role in the youth mental health crisis, focusing solely on maximizing their profits by creating addictive design features.”

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Oct 24, 2023
Statement on Lawsuit by States Against Meta’s Role in Youth Mental Health Crisis

We applaud today’s bipartisan lawsuit by state attorneys general to curb Big Tech’s unchecked power over our daily lives and protect young people from the online harms they face every day.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Pluribus News
Oct 20, 2023
Tech industry plays defense as states push new regulations

Aditi Ramesh, policy manager at nonprofit watchdog Accountable Tech, said she hopes there is a "domino effect" as more states consider new rules of the road for tech with the end-goal of "putting increased pressure on Congress to create a more unified approach to tech regulation."

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Sep 18, 2023
Civil Society Groups, Legal Scholars and Youth Advocates Condemn Ruling to Block the California Age-Appropriate Design Code

By calling for safety by design and privacy by default, the Age-Appropriate Design Code serves as a road to accountability for tech companies. Instead, today’s decision gives tech companies a free pass to put profit over kids’ safety online.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
May 22, 2023
Accountable Tech On Minnesota Legislature’s Failure to Pass the Age Appropriate Design Code

Once again, elected officials have sided with Big Tech, choosing to prioritize their interests over the safety of Minnesota children.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Politico
May 18, 2023
Big Tech carves loopholes out of state kids’ safety laws

Nicole Gill, co-founder and executive director of tech watchdog group Accountable Tech, said companies are running a two-track campaign. She said they’re making design changes that may make minor safety improvements for kids, “while at the same time, their government relations teams — up to their CEOs — are directly lobbying Congress and state legislatures to do absolutely nothing to regulate them.”

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
NPR
May 17, 2023
Teens say social media is stressing them out. Here’s how to help them

"I have an anxiety disorder, and I have OCD," Lembke told Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., in March 2022, during a roundtable hosted by the nonprofit Accountable Tech. "I was never warned that entering these online platforms would only amplify the things that I already struggle with."

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Politico
May 11, 2023
The Covid passport expires

Critics’ say: Nicole Gill, executive director of tech watchdog group Accountable Tech, said the companies “are directly lobbying Congress and state legislatures to do absolutely nothing to regulate them.”

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
May 02, 2023
Statement on Senator Blumenthal and Blackburn’s Proposed Kids Online Safety Act

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) represents a critical step towards protecting our kids and teens online. Big Tech companies are shamelessly cashing in on a perverse business model that harms young people.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Scripps News
May 01, 2023
Nicole Gill on Social Media Age-Gating Legislation

These new bills in state houses across the country represent a threat to young people's privacy. Rather than restrict young people's access, we can make these platforms safer for kids through design requirements and standards.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
News 12
Apr 28, 2023
Nicole Gill on how to Protect Kids Online

We have an opportunity right now to protect kids online with meaningful legislation. We should take it.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Newsy
Apr 05, 2023
Nicole Gill on the Dangers of Social Media for Kids

Big Tech designs their platforms to hook and addict users, which poses a serious threat to young people's mental health and well-being.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
KOLO ABC 8
Apr 05, 2023
Bill hoping to protect children online debated in State Legislature

“The data has shown us, time and again, that various online platforms, such as social media, contribute to a myriad of issues including depression and anxiety and are highly addicting,” said Nicole Gill with Accountable Tech. “We firmly believe that a child’s safety should be paramount and that platforms should enact the highest privacy protections when designing, developing and providing that feature. Through the passage of AB 320 in Nevada, we hope to see that belief become a reality. "

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Tech Policy Press
Mar 31, 2023
March 2023 U.S. Tech Policy Roundup

Advocacy organizations Accountable Tech and LOG OFF conducted a poll with 912 American teenagers to understand social media usage habits. They found that:

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Mar 29, 2023
New Poll Shows Dangers of Social Media Design for Young Americans, Sparks Renewed Call for Tech Regulation

New polling released today by Accountable Tech and LOG OFF finds that the design of social media and online platforms is actively harming U.S. teens — adding further evidence for why design reforms outlined in the Age Appropriate Design Code are desperately needed to protect kids online.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Politico
Mar 23, 2023
Google hires Costello

“No parent should have to deal with the horrific reality of losing a child to online bullying, illegal or harmful substances sold over social media, or from falling prey to dangerous online communities,” the groups wrote. Tech Oversight Project, Accountable Tech, the Center for Digital Democracy, Fairplay, Parents Together, Common Sense Media, Tech Transparency Project, Eating Disorders Coalition and Friends of the Earth.

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Pluribus News
Mar 14, 2023
Youth digital privacy battles spark in states

Besides 5Rights and Accountable Tech, the coalition backing the age-appropriate design bills also includes Parents Together and Design It For Us. Advocates insist the law is needed to better protect children from harmful online content and to block features like Autoplay that encourage youth to spend hours online.

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Feb 13, 2023
Youth Activist Emma Lembke to Testify on Online Harms Before Senate Judiciary Committee

Tomorrow, youth activist Emma Lembke – a former Accountable Tech intern who continues to work closely with the organization – will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about Big Tech’s ongoing exploitation of our children for profit.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Nov 23, 2022
On the Heels of Landmark California Kids and Teens Online Safety Bill, Meta Announces Updated Safety and Privacy Measures

These updates show why passing laws that change the incentive structure for Big Tech is imperative. The California Age Appropriate Design Code is already pushing companies like Meta to proactively enhance their existing limited privacy and safety measures for children and teens.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
AXIOS
Sep 16, 2022
California’s new age rules for sites and apps raise a ruckus

"The bill focuses on establishing a floor of safety and security for young people," Nicole Gill, co-founder and executive director of Accountable Tech, which supports the legislation, told Axios.

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Sep 15, 2022
With Governor Newsom’s Signature, California Becomes the First State in the U.S. to Protect Kids and Teens Online

In signing the California Age Appropriate Design Code Act into law, Governor Newsom is sending a clear message to Big Tech: Put our children over your profits.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
CNN
Sep 15, 2022
California Gov. Newsom signs landmark legislation aimed at boosting children’s safety online

Accountable Tech, an advocacy group that has criticized large tech platforms, called the bill’s signing “a monumental win.” “This new law will upend the status quo and take real steps to stop pervasive surveillance, profiling, and manipulation of kids online,” said Nicole Gill, the group’s executive director. “It also will serve as a transformative model for other states and countries, so that every child is protected from Big Tech’s abuse and exploitation – not just those in California.”

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
CBS News
Sep 02, 2022
Nicole Gill on the Passage of the California Age Appropriate Design Code

This landmark legislation would require online platforms to prioritize the safety and well-being of kids by design and by default for them.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
CNBC
Aug 30, 2022
California passes bill aimed at making the internet safer for kids

Accountable Tech, a group that has backed federal antitrust legislation targeting Big Tech platforms, also lauded the news. “If signed into law, this historic legislation would represent a seismic shift in the fight for online privacy,” co-founder and Executive Director Nicole Gill said in a statement.

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Aug 29, 2022
Statement on California State Senate’s Passage of Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

Today California took a massive step forward in securing a future in which the internet is fundamentally designed around the best interests of young people.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Aug 11, 2022
California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act Clears Final Legislative Hurdle Before Passage

Today’s vote in the California Senate Appropriations Committee brings us closer than ever to securing a future in which the internet is fundamentally designed around the best interests of young people.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
NBC News
Aug 05, 2022
Their children were killed by drugs found on Snapchat. Their activism could push Congress to act.

Jesse Lehrich co-founder of tech watchdog Accountable Tech, reacted to a description of the draft bill by raising concerns about child privacy. "It’s a massive invasion of children’s privacy and freedom to learn and grow," he said. "And it creates nightmarish scenarios, like an LGBTQ kid being outed by these apps, or data being weaponized against a teen who needed an abortion in a state where it’s been criminalized."

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
May 19, 2022
Statement on the FTC’s Crackdown on Child Surveillance

With today’s unanimously approved policy statement, Chair Khan and the FTC have sent a powerful message that they will use every tool at their disposal to safeguard our kids from exploitative tech companies.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Washington Post
Mar 28, 2022
Europe is lapping the U.S. on tech regulation — again

Accountable Tech, a left-leaning advocacy group, argued in a policy memo comparing U.S. and E.U. tech reforms that Europe’s incoming regulation “reads like an omnibus bill written by top American lawmakers” because of its overlap with many U.S. proposals.

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
BBC News
Mar 24, 2022
Jesse Lehrich on EU Big Tech Legislation

Big Tech has thrown everything at the wall already, but now, Europe has the chance to pass this sweeping legislation to rein in Big Tech's harms and monopoly power.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
The Hill
Mar 22, 2022
Advocates urge Congress to pass online kids’ safety reforms

The letter is signed by 60 advocacy organizations, including Fairplay, the Center for Digital Democracy, Accountable Tech and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It was addressed to the top lawmakers of both parties in the House and Senate.

Avatar Victoria Vinall
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Youth Leadership
Mar 10, 2022
Youth Activists Outline Social Media Harms, Discuss Solutions with Sen. Blumenthal

Accountable Tech hosted a roundtable with five youth activists and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on social media’s impact on young people’s mental health.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Mar 01, 2022
Statement on President Biden’s Strategy to Address Big Tech’s Role in Our National Mental Health Crisis

We applaud President Biden for recognizing the inconvenient truth Big Tech executives continue to deny—that their products and platforms now play an important role in defining the future of this country.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Cheddar News
Dec 08, 2021
Nicole Gill on Adam Mosseri’s Congressional Testimony

Facebook is the top spender on lobbying in D.C. They do exactly the opposite of what Mark Zuckerberg says he supports in public when Facebook says they support government regulation.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Politico
Dec 02, 2021
House Science debates how to boost U.S. microelectronics

"A coalition of advocacy groups — including Fairplay, Accountable Tech, the Center for Digital Democracy and Common Sense — are today launching Designed With Kids in Mind, a campaign calling for a design code to protect children online."

Kenya Juarez Kenya Juarez
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Youth Leadership
Teen Vogue
Oct 26, 2021
Instagram Is Bad for Teen Mental Health — We Want to Know All the Data

"In this op-ed, Gen-Z for Change and Accountable Tech calls on Facebook to release all of its internal research on the effects of Instagram on teen mental health."

Kenya Juarez Kenya Juarez
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Youth Leadership
BBC News
Oct 26, 2021
Rishi Bharwani on Congressional Hearings with Big Tech CEOs

We're seeing growing momentum in Congress for legislation to rein in Big Tech's harms.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Wall Street Journal
Oct 17, 2021
How to Fix Facebook, Instagram and Social Media? Change the Defaults

"I’d be shocked if this Congress manages to pass a sweeping federal privacy law,” said Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, a progressive-leaning nonprofit dedicated to reigning in social-media giants. “But I do think bills like the KIDS Act that take direct aim at those manipulative features are suddenly in play.”The Wall Street Journal: "I’d be shocked if this Congress manages to pass a sweeping federal privacy law,” said Jesse Lehrich, co-founder of Accountable Tech, a progressive-leaning nonprofit dedicated to reigning in social-media giants. “But I do think bills like the KIDS Act that take direct aim at those manipulative features are suddenly in play.”

Kenya Juarez Kenya Juarez
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Youth Leadership
Cheddar News
Oct 11, 2021
Rishi Bharwani on Facebook’s New Safety Features for Kids

I think this is Facebook's attempt to stave off regulation. This rollout from Facebook is a PR play. If they were really interested in helping kids, they would have done these changes years ago.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Sep 30, 2021
Accountable Tech Launches TV Ads on Facebook’s Coverup of Harms to Kids

This morning, Accountable Tech launched a six-figure national cable ad urging Congress to investigate Facebook over recent revelations that the company concealed internal research.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Sep 14, 2021
Statement on Facebook’s Cover-Up of Teen Trauma

There is nothing more chilling than turning one’s back on a child who’s in harm’s way. Yet, this is what Facebook and Instagram executives do every day.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Youth Leadership
Jul 27, 2021
New Poll Shows Parents Distrust Big Tech, Strongly Support Expanding Online Protections For Kids

Accountable Tech released a new national poll of 1,000 parents of school-aged children – conducted by GQR Research – measuring their sentiments about the behavior of major tech platforms and key issues facing kids and teens online.

Zach Praiss Zach Praiss
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Big Tech companies are some of the most powerful and profitable companies in history, presenting new threats to the safety of communities and the health of democracy. We’re taking them on through legislation, regulation and direct advocacy.