For Immediate Release
Press Contact: press@mdkidscode.com
ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Kids Code Coalition released the following statement after the Senate Finance Committee passed the Maryland Kids Code (SB 571) with a 7-3 vote:
“We applaud Chair Pam Beidle and the Senate Finance Committee for today’s vote in favor of the Maryland Kids Code, and we’re especially grateful to Senator Ben Kramer for his leadership. By supporting the Kids Code, our legislators are showing that the voices of youth advocates, grieving parents, and medical and educational professionals are louder and more powerful than the Big Tech lobby’s transparent spin. With harm to kids and teens piling up as Big Tech companies choose profiteering over basic corporate responsibility, exposing young people to exploitation and abuse, we will continue to advocate fiercely for this much-needed legislation.”
Learn more about the Maryland Kids Code
Community voices calling for the 2024 Maryland Kids Code
- Todd Minor, Sr. – A TikTok challenge killed our son; now we fight for other children’s safety (Baltimore Sun, 1/24/24)
- Elizabeth Elliott – School nurse: Social media exacerbates teen health crisis by design (Maryland Matters, 1/12/24)
- Del. CT Wilson – Protect children from online abuse, addiction linked to social media (Baltimore Banner, 1/8/24)
- Gabriela Romo – Time for parents to start holding tech platforms accountable (MoCo360, 1/5/24)
Why we need action on Kids Code legislation
- U.S. Surgeon General – Advisory on Social Media & Youth Mental Health
- Pew Research Center – Teens, Social Media & Technology 2023
- Children and Screens Institute for Digital Media – Social Media, Drugs & Youth
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Social Media Platforms Generate Billions in Annual Ad Revenue from U.S. Youth
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