Parents & Local Leaders Call on Speaker Johnson and Rep. Scalise to Pass KOSA
Parents Who Have Lost Children Due to Online Harms Hold Press Conference in New Orleans, Urging Action on KOSA
(NEW ORLEANS, LA) Today, ParentsSOS members joined fellow advocates for a press conference to call on Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise to advance the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Parents shared their personal stories of losing children to social media harms and called on Congress to urgently prioritize children’s safety over the financial interests of tech companies.
Broad support for action is clear, as polling shows that 90% of the U.S. electorate supports Congressional action to combat the harms caused by social media platforms. KOSA has already passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support with a 91-3 vote, but Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise remain key obstacles to moving the bill forward. Advocates emphasized the need for immediate action to protect children online and push back against Big Tech’s lobbying efforts to derail the legislation.
Maurine Molak, Co-founder, ParentsSOS and David’s Legacy Foundation, said, “Speaker Johnson promised me he would advance KOSA and he needs to live up to his promise to protect children. My son David died because of cyberbullying and social media addiction when he was only 16, and I know too many other parents who have experienced the same tragedy. We’ve heard all of the excuses at this point, and it’s clear that KOSA isn’t about restricting free speech; it’s about stopping the deliberate design of platforms that prey on children’s vulnerabilities. Passing KOSA will prevent other families from living through the nightmare of losing a child.”
Brian Montgomery, ParentsSOS Member, said, “My son Walker was a well-adjusted, happy 16-year-old, but one night, he became the victim of an online predator on Instagram. The social media platform allowed this predator to manipulate and extort my son, and within hours, Walker took his own life. This is the harsh reality for too many families, but it is preventable. Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, I urge you to do the right thing and make sure KOSA becomes law. Our children’s lives are worth more than Big Tech’s profits.”
Louisiana has been a leader in protecting children online, with both of its senators, John N. Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, co-sponsoring the Kids Online Safety Act. Now, the responsibility lies with Louisiana’s congressional delegation in the House, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, to ensure this vital legislation is brought to the floor for a vote.
South Carolina State Rep. Brandon Guffey spoke as both a legislator and father of a victim of online harms. “As a legislator, I’ve worked on laws to protect children at the state level, but this issue is too big for states to handle alone,” said Rep. Guffey. “My son Gavin was only 17 when online predators targeted him on Instagram. Unfortunately, with the way the platform is now designed, it was hardly difficult for these scammers to find and contact my son. We need federal safeguards like KOSA to hold platforms like Meta accountable. Congress has the power to stop this epidemic, and as a father who lost his son, I’m pleading with them to act before more families experience this pain.”
A growing body of evidence highlights the role social media plays in exacerbating mental health issues among children and teens. Research shows that social media platforms are designed to create addictive use patterns, keeping children online longer and increasing exposure to harmful content.
Blair Aranda, Mother of Brantley Aranda, discussed the loss of her son to online harms. “Brantley was a bright, creative 17-year-old who loved learning and was a role model for his two younger brothers. But after he gained access to Facebook on his new phone, he became trapped in a toxic environment of harmful content and user groups that encouraged self-harm and suicide,” said Aranda. “Our son was lost to suicide. Social media companies know their platforms are harmful, yet they choose profits over safety. Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, every day without KOSA puts more kids at risk. It’s time to stop stalling and start saving lives.”
The Very Rev. Jay Angerer, All Saints Episcopal Church, emphasized the moral obligation to protect children, saying, “As a faith leader, it is my duty to speak for the most vulnerable members of our society—our children. The Kids Online Safety Act represents far more than just a legal necessity; it’s a moral imperative. Speaker Johnson and Leader Scalise must choose between protecting our children or allowing tech companies to continue their predatory practices. The future of our children’s safety is in their hands, and they must act now.”
Rheneisha Robertson, CEO, Covenant House New Orleans, discussed the role of KOSA in preventing online exploitation. “In my role at Covenant House, I’ve seen firsthand how online platforms are used to traffic and exploit vulnerable young people. These are not isolated incidents, they are an epidemic, and these platforms are doing nothing to stop it,” said Robertson. “KOSA is the first step toward making the internet a safer place for all children, especially those who are already at risk. Speaker Johnson and Congress must act, because the cost of inaction is too high—our children’s safety and futures depend on it.”
Today’s speakers called on Congress to prioritize the safety of children and pass the Kids Online Safety Act immediately. Despite broad public support and overwhelming support in the U.S. Senate, the bill remains blocked in the House, with Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise standing as key obstacles to its advancement.
A recording of the press conference can be viewed here.
