Dove Self-Esteem Project Launches Effort Supporting Kids Online Safety Act

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, the Dove Self-Esteem Project launched a new effort to support the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act. The bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), would provide kids and parents with online safeguards and ensure Big Tech accountability amid a worsening youth mental health crisis.

On Tuesday, Dove announced its new Campaign for Kids Online Safety to address the rise in youth mental health issues connected to social media use, including new research data, a film, and a petition encouraging Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act.

“A partnership combining teens, concerned parents, and industry leaders can be a powerful force for holding Big Tech accountable through my Kids Online Safety Act,” said Blumenthal. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan measure to give kids and parents back control over their online lives, and stop social media from driving toxic content at them. Putting profits over safety, Big Tech’s algorithms are exacerbating a teen mental health crisis—a public health emergency that the Kids Online Safety Act will help stem. I’m proud to join this effort to move Congress and the country to protect children from eating disorders, bullying, and other harms spread by social media.”

Dove’s new film, “Cost of Beauty: A Dove Film,” features the story of one young person struggling with an eating disorder fueled by toxic social media content.

The full film can be found here

Dove’s Self-Esteem Project research found that 8 in 10 youth mental health specialists say social media is fueling a mental health crisis, 80 percent of young people believe that people their age are addicted to social media, and more than 50 percent of young people say social media makes them and their peers feel anxious. More information on the research can be found here.

Along with advocacy groups Common Sense Media and Parents Together Action, Dove launched a petition to urge Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. The petition can be found here.

The introduction of the Kids Online Safety Act followed reporting and a series of subcommittee hearings spearheaded by Blumenthal and Blackburn with social media companies and advocates on the repeated failures by tech giants to protect kids on their platforms and about the dangers kids face online. More information on the legislation can be found here.

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