National Parents Union Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Protecting Children Online

National Parents Union Survey Shows Overwhelming Support for Protecting Children Online

Organization Urges Congress to Pass the Kids Online Safety Act Now

December 10, 2024 – Boston, MA – A new survey conducted by the National Parents Union reveals that parents of K-12 public school students overwhelmingly support stronger protections for children online, with 86% backing laws requiring social media platforms to prevent harm to minors. With alarming reports of online dangers mounting, the National Parents Union is calling on Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) immediately.

“Parents have spoken loud and clear: our children’s safety cannot wait,” said Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union. “Social media platforms are failing to protect kids, and the Kids Online Safety Act provides a critical framework to hold these companies accountable. Congress must act now before more young lives are put at risk.”

Key Survey Findings:

• Parental Support for Regulation:
  • 87% of parents believe social media platforms should be legally required to restrict minors from accessing harmful content, such as posts promoting violence, self-harm, or drug use.
  • 86% support giving parents control over their child’s account settings and limiting exposure to dangerous platform features like autoplay videos and algorithm-driven content targeting.
  • 76% back requiring proof of age for social media account creation.
• Minimum Age for Social Media:
  • 87% of parents support establishing a minimum age limit for social media accounts, with the majority favoring ages 13-16.
• Accountability for Harms:
  • 51% of parents agree that families should have the right to sue social media platforms if their child is harmed by dangerous content.
• Demand for Action:
  • 86% of parents support laws requiring social media platforms to mitigate harms to minors, a central provision of the Kids Online Safety Act.

“Social media companies have spent years putting profits over children’s well-being, and families are paying the price,” said Rodrigues. “The mental health crisis among young people is only growing, and Congress has the tools to intervene. Passing KOSA would mark a turning point in holding these platforms accountable and creating a safer digital world for kids.”

The Time to Act is Now

The National Parents Union urges lawmakers to prioritize the passage of KOSA before the year ends. Parents are watching closely and demanding leadership that protects their children from the unchecked power of tech giants.

“We cannot afford to delay. Every day that Congress fails to act, another child is exposed to harmful content that could jeopardize their safety and mental health,” said Rodrigues. “Passing the Kids Online Safety Act is not just an option—it’s a moral imperative.”

National Parents Union Survey

N=1,529 parents of public school students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade Online survey – Sample from Cint/Lucid sample exchange
Field Dates: December 2-6, 2024
Margin of sampling error: ± 2.7 percentage points

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION

With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/