Common Sense Media

After lobby days in Albany, press conferences, meetings with New York Senate leaders, 600 calls and over 2,000 emails from constituents into lawmakers' offices, we did it! Today, the New York State Legislature passed both the SAFE for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act, making New York the first state in the country to pass legislation to limit addictive social media feeds for kids and teens. These two bills are an enormous win for kids and families in New York who will be able to enjoy safer online experiences. But it's also a big loss for Big Tech, who fought tooth and nail to keep this legislation from passing. Thanks to the thousands of parents across New York who made their voices heard, sharing personal stories and demanding a safer internet for their kids. This win is because of YOUR powerful advocacy. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Office of the New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Andrew S. Gounardes, Assemblymember Nily Rozic, as well as the NY State Union of Teachers (NYSUT), the United Federation Of Teachers, District Council 37 - AFC-CIO, the NY State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the National Urban League, Mothers Against Media Addiction, and others. This legislation is just a first step in protecting kids all over the country.  Read the statement from our CEO Jim Steyer on this big victory: https://lnkd.in/e7MTVyAQ

Today marks a significant step forward in protecting our kids online. Two landmark bills in New York, led by our Common Sense advocacy team, were signed into law today, aimed at curbing addictive algorithms, incessant notifications, and personal data collection on social media platforms. We were honored to be present at the signing of the SAFE for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Privacy Act today in New York City alongside Governor Hochul, Attorney General James, State Senator Andrew S. Gounardes, and State Assemblymember Nily Rozic. "Like David and Goliath, we stood up to powerful social media companies and their lobbyists, lawyers and money… and guess what?… We won!" said our New York Council Member, Lauren Salem, in her remarks at the podium. "Now, we need to make kids across America a top priority, no matter where they live." At Common Sense Media, we will continue to support legislation at the state and federal level to create a safer and more secure internet for future generations. Learn more about today's signing:  https://lnkd.in/gc3_TYya

We've got more new research out today, in partnership with Hopelab! Many young people struggle to find in-person care, support, and practical information for their behavioral health challenges. But options for supporting mental health via digital technologies are growing in availability and accessibility. This report went right to teens and young people (ages 14-22) to find out how they're embracing online mental health tools — from social media to therapy to mental health apps – as valuable resources for seeking support and managing their own mental health and well-being. We learned that many young people are looking up mental health information online, taking advantage of online therapy options, and using mental health support apps and platforms. And social media has proven to be an important jumping off point for further exploration of issues and concerns. But young people aren't just self-diagnosing -- they're vetting what they find online with trusted sources. But the quality of the support and therapy that apps and online mental health services provide aren't always up to par, and given how important these services are for reducing barriers to mental health support, there's more work to be done. Check out the full report at https://lnkd.in/ea98GZvN. #GettingHelpOnline

On the final day of Common Sense Giving Week, we want to thank our partners, supporters, and extended network for joining us on our mission. Right now, there's more concern than ever about how growing up with technology has impacted this generation of kids. From the youth mental health crisis to classroom distractions and ChatGPT, everyone is worried that today's kids are facing an overwhelming, uphill battle. We know that it can feel overwhelming to guide kids through the increasing complexity of digital spaces. But that's why Common Sense exists! We make sure every family has access to resources that are fun, safe, and educational so every kid can thrive and have a healthy childhood. As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity and support of others to help us continue to meet the moment. We hope you consider joining us to enact positive, thoughtful change for today's kids, and generations to come: https://lnkd.in/e4JyNZwN #CSGivingWeek

Right now, schools across the country are gearing up for (or in some cases, have already started!) summer break. Educators will no doubt take some well-deserved time off, but summer is often the time where the planning for the school year ahead begins. Educators are having to navigate an increasingly complex digital world, grappling with issues like the role of AI in the classroom and the impact of social media on their students' mental health and well-being. We know that educators have a lot on their plates, so we're dedicated to developing resources to address some of their biggest challenges in the tech space, like AI literacy and digital well-being lessons. But we can't do this without your help. When you give a gift today during Common Sense Giving Week, we're able to provide invaluable resources to educators around the world. #CSGivingWeek https://lnkd.in/e4JyNZwN

Right now, there's unprecedented momentum to hold Big Tech accountable for its impact on kids' well-being, and Common Sense has been leading this effort from the start. Just this year, we actively supported six bills in three states that have already been signed into law, including last week when our advocacy team secured passage in New York State of the Child Data Protection Act and the SAFE for Kids Act, which is the first legislation passed in the country to limit addictive social media feeds for kids and teens. We fought Big Tech—and we won! By supporting this work during Common Sense Giving Week, you're joining a successful movement that's dedicated to protecting kids' safety, privacy, and mental health online. Make your gift today! https://lnkd.in/e4JyNZwN

In a year when more than 64 countries will hold elections, media literacy has never been more important. Today, a new report from the The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) shows UK students who used our Digital Citizenship Curriculum are better prepared to face misinformation online. Check out photos of the launch event in London, where report authors Dr. Fiona Abades Barclay and Professor Shakuntala Banaji presented the results of their analysis. The evaluation was designed to analyze just how effective digital citizenship education—which includes media and AI literacy—can be in helping students build the skills they need to become smarter and savvier around misinformation, as well as other digital dilemmas. Read our summary of the key findings, and what they mean for educators, researchers, funders and policymakers worldwide: https://lnkd.in/eFjhPR6D

Right now, preteens and teens receive an average of 237 notifications on their phone every day. This stat comes from one of the reports released from Common Sense's Research program. Our research is among the most trusted data on how media and tech impact kids as they grow up. But it also underpins everything we do, from how we rate content and provide parent advice to how we design our K–12 digital literacy program and approach our tech advocacy. Your support fuels critical research like this. Please consider a donation today. #CSGivingWeek https://lnkd.in/e4JyNZwN

Today begins our first-ever Common Sense Giving Week! Over the next five days we'll be sharing stories about our work to support families, educators, policymakers and more with the resources, advice, and research they need to help kids thrive in a digital world. Right now, our kids are living in the digital revolution, where every click, like, and share is tracked, analyzed, and used to feed them advertising content, keep them scrolling, and so much more. Will you help us drive change for kids? Consider a donation of any amount using the link below and, together, we can make a positive impact and empower the next generation! 📣 https://lnkd.in/e4JyNZwN

What a great day at the inaugural Digital Parenthood Summit this week in NYC! We were so proud to be a partner! Our Merve Lapus moderated a panel of incredible experts who spoke very realistically about cyberbullying and shared great perspectives on the often overlooked sides of online safety. They got to the heart of the complexities of what kids are doing online and how they communicate -- not just how much time they spend there. Some of that time is good, some is potentially harmful. The takeaway? Talking to your kids to understand the how and why of their tech use is vital to helping them find balance and identifying warning signs. As a partner we're also honored to contribute to the launch of DigitalParenthood.com, marking a significant milestone in our collective efforts to to kickstart a national conversation around healthy online behaviors for families. This free online community is designed to support and empower families by providing easy access to tools, resources and expertise as parents navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising a connected generation. Visit DigitalParenthood.com today to join the community! @aura_protects #DigitalParenthood