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General (02) Susana Barrios From: durfeycraig778@gmail. Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:16 PM To: clayton.heard@asm.ca.gov; David.Ochoa@sen.ca.gov; 'GGEA President' <president@ggea.org>; Assemblymember.Davies@assembly.ca.gov; ADAM.BOMAN@ASM.CA.GOV; assemblymember.quirk- silva@assembly.ca.gov; hauwie.tie@asm.ca.gov; 'Teresa Pomeroy' <teresap@ggcity.org>; response@ocgov.com; REPLOUCORREA@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV; senator.nguyen@senate.ca.gov; senator.umberg@senate.ca.gov; SENATOR.GONZALEZ@senate.ca.gov; Christopher.Aguilera@asm.ca.gov; 'Walter Muneton' <walter.muneton@ggusd.us>; 'Dina Nguyen' <dina.nguyen@ggusd.us>; Superintendent@cde.ca.gov; kim.vandermeulen@mail.house.gov; SEDN.committee@senate.ca.gov; sbe@cde.ca.gov; Public Comment <publiccomment@anaheim.net>; ocbe@ocde.us; ABC7 General Release <pr@abc7.com>; Don Barnes <ddbarnes@ocsd.org>; assemblymember.rendon@assembly.ca.gov; 'Teri Rocco' <teri.rocco@ggusd.us>; '"FOX11NEWS@FOXTV.COM"' <fox11news@foxtv.com>; FourthDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov; 'Nick Dibs' < ; '"TIPS@NBCUNI.COM"' <TIPS@nbcuni.com>; 'Gabriela Mafi' <gmafi@ggusd.us>; 'Supervisor Doug Chaffee' <Fourth.District@ocgov.info>; 'Supervisor Andrew Do' <Andrew.Do@ocgov.com>; 'communityrelations' <communityrelations@ggcity.org>; communications@cde.ca.gov; Tanya.Lieberman@asm.ca.gov; Senator.Allen@senate.CA.gov; SHEA.Committee@senate.ca.gov; 'Jim Tortolano' < ; superintendent@sdcoe.net; press@ltg.ca.gov; Tanya.Lieberman@asm.ca.gov; Chelsea.Kelley@asm.ca.gov; Debbie.Look@asm.ca.gov; Marguerite.Ries@asm.ca.gov; lauren.robinson@asm.ca.gov; chinook.shin@sen.ca.gov; chinook.shin@sen.ca.gov; '"TIPS@NBCUNI.COM"' <TIPS@nbcuni.com>; kim.vandermeulen@mail.house.gov; KCAL 9 <kcalnews@cbs.com>; 'Dina Nguyen' <dina.nguyen@ggusd.us> Subject: \[EXTERNAL\] Understanding Bullying under CA State Assembly Bill AB 3212 Pupils use of smart phones prior bill AB 272 Muratsuchi. Pupils: use of smartphones: Bullying. Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message. 05-22-2024 (P.R.D.D.C.) PARENTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN CRAIG A. DURFEY FOUNDER OF P.R.D.D.C. U.S. HOUSE OF CONGRESS H2404 - HONORING CRAIG DURFEY FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST AUTISM ... Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2003-03-27/pdf/CREC-2003-03-27.pdf 1 To whom it may concern. CA State Assembly Bill AB 3212 Pupils use of smart phones prior bill AB 272 Muratsuchi. Pupils: use of smartphones: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) There is growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by pupils at elementary and secondary schools during the school day interferes with the educational mission of the schools, lowers pupil performance, particularly among low-achieving pupils, promotes cyberbullying, and contributes to an increase in teenage anxiety, depression, and suicide. (b) In September 2018, France adopted a nationwide smartphone ban in all primary and middle schools in order to promote pupil achievement and healthy social development. (c) The London School of Economics and Political Science published a May 2015 study that found that test scores improved significantly at schools that banned mobile phone use, and that the most significant gains in pupil performance were made by the most disadvantaged and underachieving pupils. The study concluded that “schools could significantly reduce the education achievement gap by prohibiting mobile phone use in schools.” (d) Dr. Jean Twenge, who is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, published a book in 2017 entitled “iGen,” which presents evidence of an increase in depression and suicide among American teenagers that may be caused by increased mobile device screen time and social media use. According to Dr. Twenge, 8th grade pupils who spend 10 or more hours per week on social media are 56 percent more likely to describe themselves as unhappy than those who devote less time to social media. Moreover, teenagers who spend three hours per day or more on electronic devices are 35 percent more likely to demonstrate risk factors for suicide, such as suicidal ideation, and teenagers who spend five or more hours per day on their devices are 71 percent more likely to demonstrate a risk factor for suicide. CA State Assembly Bill AB 3212 Pupils use of smart phones prior bill AB 272 Muratsuchi. Pupils: use of smartphones: These two pieces of legislation flawed to what field research has shown many schools don’t want to enact such as the Garden Grove Unified School District they took a popular survey from the community as to ban cell phones. As the result they the School Board elect to leave it with no real verbiage just pass down to the principles. Many news stories across the internet of children being bullied having cell phones during school hours reported Ringgold School District is cracking down on cell phone use, prohibiting students from using them while at school or on district property in hopes to reduce fights and cyberbullying, KDKA reported: 2 Research shows a pattern where reported bullying is reported to the school to then be ignored as such children are come committing suicide at a very young age, above a PDF Testimony from a hearing U.S. Senate a by partisan action to Protect our children online further below is the full hearing https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee- activity/hearings/protecting-our-children-online A mother spoke how her son was given a cell phone during his high school where he was bullied then they family found him dead by hanging himself. What is bullying? Troubling map reveals the staggering number of schools that are s Troubling map reveals the staggering number of schools that are soft on troublemakers - so are YOUR kids in danger? In a press release, the district said its school police department documented 56 criminal incidents last year where students used their cell phones to plan fights, harass other students and vandalize school property. The district also said that the communication between students on phones included planning “vaping gatherings” in school bathrooms and other criminal mischief, the CBS News affiliate reported. A new school policy introduced in the Ringgold School District is cracking down on cell phone use, prohibiting students from using them while at school or on district property in hopes to reduce fights and cyberbullying, KDKA reported. “In an effort to curb this trend, a new electronic device policy has been enacted for the 2022-2023 school year,” the release said. In the new policy, students will no longer be able to use their phones in classrooms, locker rooms, bathrooms or on the school bus. According to the district website, “The Board prohibits use of electronic devices by students during the school day in district buildings; on district property; on district buses and vehicles; and during the time students are under the supervision of the district.” Additionally, the school board said it’s adopting the policy, “in order to support an education environment that is orderly, safe and secure for district students and employees.”Some parents agree with the new policy. school-district-is-banning-cell-phones-in- the-hopes-of-reducing-fights-and-cyberbullying.html. Protecting Our Children Online 3 Thank you, Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Graham, and members of the committee. My name is Kristin Bride. I am a survivor parent and social media reform advocate, and member of the bipartisan Council for Responsible Social Media. I am testifying here today to bring a face to the harms occurring every day resulting from the unchecked power of the social media industry. This is my son Carson Bride with beautiful blue eyes, an amazing smile, and a great sense of humor, who will be forever 16 years old. As involved parents raising our two sons in Oregon, we thought we were doing everything right. We waited until Carson was in 8th grade to give him his first cell phone, an old phone with no apps. We talked to our boys about online safety and the importance of never sending anything online that you wouldn’t want your name and face next to on a billboard. Carson followed these guidelines. Yet tragedy still struck our family. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/protecting-our-children- online Bullying is repetitive, intentionally aggressive behavior — in person or online — that causes hurt or discomfort to another person. Bullying comes in many forms: violent or unwanted physical contact, behavior meant to provoke a fight or confrontation, verbal comments meant to belittle, demean or control, or other kinds of actions with the intent of harassing, humiliating or otherwise causing emotional and/or physical discomfort. Bullying may feel and be unprovoked, and victims often experience powerlessness to defend themselves. Even if the interaction is brief, bullying often causes more than momentary physical or emotional discomfort. According to the American Psychological Association, being the recipient of bullying, especially if repeated, can contribute to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Victims of bullying often have trouble adjusting to school, feel unhappy or unsafe, experience loneliness and withdrawal, and can even have thoughts of suicide. They’re also more likely to be rejected by their peers. 4 Types of bullying While cyberbullying and offline bullying happen in different ways, they’re both destructive to the victims:  Offline bullying is bullying in person in the form of physical threats or violence and/or verbal taunts, threats or insults.  Cyberbullying is bullying online, in the form of emails, instant messages, or social media posts. Bullying is unfortunately quite common, especially online. The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey¹ found that nearly 1 in 4 high school students experience in-person bullying or aggression; this is significantly higher for girls and for LGBTQ+ students and students questioning their sexual identity. Cyberbullying is even more common than offline bullying. About 37% of young people between the ages of 12 and 17 have been bullied online and 30% have had it happen more than once. And, it’s quite common for youth being bullied offline to also be bullied online. In-person bullying and cyberbullying often overlap — students may start rumors or fights online and continue the aggressive behavior in schools or community settings where they encounter each other in person. Conversely, bullying behavior may start in person and then continue in online spaces. Rumors, veiled insults, purposely excluding someone, and even dirty looks or nonverbal cues are all forms of covert bullying. It’s not only common to be a victim of bullying as an adolescent, engaging in bullying behavior is also quite common; 23% of students in a large national study reported that they’ve said or done something mean or cruel to another person online, with 27% reporting that they’ve experienced the same from someone else. ¹ Basile, K. C., Clayton, H. B., DeGue, S., Gilford, J. W., Vagi, K. J., Suarez, N. A., … & Lowry, R. (2020). Interpersonal Violence Victimization Among High School Students— Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019. MMWR supplements, 69(1), 28. ??????? What are the signs of bullying? It’s important to recognize the signs of bullying — for ourselves and others — so that we can take action when someone we know or love is being bullied. According to stopbullying.gov this can manifest or show up in many different ways including:  Unexplained injuries  Missing or destroyed clothing or possessions  Frequently feeling or faking sick  Suddenly skipping meals or binge eating; kids may come home from school hungry because they didn’t eat lunch  Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares 5  Declining academic performance or interest  Unexplained or sudden social avoidance or loss of friendships  Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem  Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, self-harm, or suicidal ideation In partnership with Instagram, JED has created a Pressure To Be Perfect Toolkit, aimed at helping to free us from the pressure of thinking we need to conform to a certain set of standards when we post. It also helps you move from a mindset of comparing yourself with others to one where you’re thoughtfully sharing yourself with others to make your time on Instagram more intentional and rewarding. What makes someone vulnerable to bullying? Anyone can be bullied, but there are some conditions and characteristics that increase risk especially, when students are different than most of their peers and they don’t feel they belong.Certain situations or risk factors can make someone more likely to be targeted:  Kids who are bullied at home by siblings are more likely to be targeted at school according to the APA  Higher ADHD symptoms are associated with bullying victimization  Girls are more likely than boys to be both victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying, with 15% of teen girls having been the target of at least four different kinds of abusive online behaviors (compared with 6% of boys)  About half of LGBTQ+ students experience online harassment — a rate higher than average  Bullying behaviors often stem from wide forms of harassment/discrimination such as religion, ableism, homophobia, racism, classism, etc. Causes for bullying Anyone can engage in bullying behavior. Many of us have the experience of being more aggressive or of using less than kind tactics to get what we want at some point in life, often when we’re young and learning about relationships. Most of us, however, learn from these experiences and figure out how to advocate for what we want or express anger in healthier ways. Sometimes, people feel so unable to ask for what they want or need or have so much pent up anger or anxiety, that they abuse or manipulate other people. It’s unsurprising then that people who engage in bullying regularly tend to have low self- esteem, low academic achievement, and symptoms of anxiety. Research also shows that the most significant predictor for bullying is an environment that allows for bullying and/or which creates difficult or intolerable psychological conditions in the person who bullies. This includes:  Family members’ involvement in gangs  Poor parental supervision 6  Parental conflict  Domestic violence  Low parental communication  Lack of parental emotional support  Authoritarian parenting  Inappropriate discipline  Parental abuse Children of single parents, especially when relationships with the parent are strained or distant, are also at risk of becoming perpetrators of bullying, as are boys suffering from depression. Recognizing bullying People who’ve been bullied are also at heightened risk of bullying and vice versa, depending on other personal and life characteristics. For example, in a study of over 3,000 7th grade students, bullying victims with higher self-esteem were more likely to engage in future bullying perpetration, whereas victims with lower self-esteem were less likely to bully in the future. While none of us want to think that we would ever be the bully, it’s important to note that someone engaging in bullying may not recognize it as bullying, despite how clear it may be to others. So what are some signs that we might be doing the bullying?  Often feeling resentful, jealous or like we’re not getting the recognition we deserve.  Struggling with empathy and becoming aggressive when we’re unhappy with someone; this could be loud or quiet (e.g., passive aggression)  Upsetting people around us — causing them to be agitated or tearful in reaction to our moods and behaviors. From an emotional health perspective, perpetuating bullying is associated with anxiety, depression, susceptibility to peer pressure, endorsement of “masculine” traits, conduct problems, antisocial personality traits, and callous-unemotional traits. But this cycle doesn’t have to continue and there are ways to get help and cope. If you think you’re being bullied or think you’re a bully, check out our How to Cope with Bullying article. And if you need help immediately, text “START” to 741-741 or call 1-800- 273-TALK (8255). Take the self-evaluator. Are you a student? Find mental resources on your campus. Are you an educator? Bring mental health curriculum to your school. You’re Not Alone https://jedfoundation.org/resource/understanding- bullying/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2023-10-05- Bullying%20Awareness%20Month%20Email-The%20JED%20Team- 7 General&utm_content=2023-10-05-Bullying%20Awareness%20Month%20Email- The%20JED%20Team- General+CID_2c471a6726005b9558cca6bb03b04cc1&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor &utm_term=October%20is%20Bullying%20Awareness%20Month Look at this: Tennessee high school student pepper sprays teacher in video The student can be seen slowly walking up behind her teacher before spraying him on the left side of his face, sending him to his knees in the hallway at Antioch High School in Nashville https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12060643/Tennessee-high-school-student- pepper-sprays-teacher-confiscated-phone.html?ito=email_share_article-image-share DallasNews.com: Richardson ISD may place new restriction on secondary student cellphone use https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2022/08/08/richardson-isd-may-place-new-restriction- on-secondary-student-cellphone-use/+ 8 A California high school found students' cellphones too distracti State lawmakers introduce bill to limit cellphone use in schools Kids are using phones in class, even when it’s against the rules. This Pa. school district is banning cell phones in the hopes of r Washington, Ringgold districts ban cellphone use during school da State lawmakers introduce bill to limit cellphone use in schools. As will see from this letter that children suffer from too many hours from social media, they become unable to access social skills exercise, past generations it was normal to leave the house to play while learning social skills. Schools reported in the Daily Mail Troubling map reveals the staggering number of schools that are soft on troublemakers - so are YOUR kids in danger? CA State Assembly Bill AB 3212 Pupils use of smart phones prior bill AB 272 Muratsuchi. Pupils: use of smartphones: Recommend amending to insert two provision SCR-73 Blue Light Awareness Day.(2019- 2020) https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SCR73 Secondly to require a form certified number receipt requiring any CA State school district with a child or parents who has reported a bullying incident to prevent misconduct. To prevent suicides by training to recognize 51925 This education code provides the opportunity for local Collaborate with your county office of education with various experience hopefully will review what has been published to address gaps from algorithm creating dopamine addictions from to long usages from screen time. 9 Thank You Craig Durfey Founder of P.R.D.D.C. 10 Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 73 RESOLUTION CHAPTER 158 Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 73—Relative to Blue Light Awareness Day. [Filed with Secretary of State September 19, 2019.] legislative counsel’s digest SCR 73, Pan. Blue Light Awareness Day. This measure would designate October 10 of each year as Blue Light Awareness Day in California. WHEREAS, There are over 80 million electronic devices with digital screens in the State of California; and WHEREAS, Screen time viewing with electronic devices exceeds over nine hours per day; and WHEREAS, The increased usage of, and access to, digital devices by young children and adolescents is an acute area of concern, as ophthalmologists, optometrists, and medical researchers continue to learn more about the short-term effects of increasing and cumulative exposure to artificial blue light on the developing human eye and mental health at a young age, along with long-term potential cumulative effects on adult eye health and mental development; and WHEREAS, The scientific community and recent studies have identified growing concerns over potential long-term eye and health impacts for all age groups from digital screen usage and cumulative blue light exposure emitted from digital devices; and WHEREAS, Blue light has been reported to cause visual discomfort in 65 percent of Americans; and WHEREAS, Blue light has been associated with possible harmful effects on retinal cell physiology linked to the high-energy, short wavelength in the narrow range of 415–455 nanometers; and WHEREAS, Cumulative blue light exposure from digital devices has been shown to disrupt sleep cycles by suppressing the natural release of melatonin and has also been linked to premature aging of the retina, which could accelerate potential long-term vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration, decreased alertness, and memory and emotional regulation impacts; and WHEREAS, Screen time can take a toll on vision health and comfort, leading to symptoms of digital eye strain and dry, irritated eyes; and WHEREAS, Given the growing body of research around the breadth and scope of potential eye and systemic health impacts related to blue light exposure, the State of California encourages citizens, particularly children, 97 to consider taking protective safety measures in reducing eye exposure to high-energy visible blue light; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates October 10 of each year as Blue Light Awareness Day in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. O 97 — 2 — Res. Ch. 158 Assembly Bill No. 272 CHAPTER 42 An act to add Section 48901.7 to the Education Code, relating to pupils. [Approved by Governor July 1, 2019. Filed with Secretary of State July 1, 2019.] legislative counsel’s digest AB 272, Muratsuchi. Pupils: use of smartphones. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district or its designee to regulate the possession or use of any electronic signaling device that operates through the transmission or receipt of radio waves, including, but not limited to, paging and signaling equipment, by pupils of the school district while the pupils are on campus, attending school-sponsored activities, or under the supervision or control of school district employees. This bill would explicitly authorize the governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school to adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a schoolsite or while the pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district, county office of education, or charter school. The bill would, however, specify circumstances in which a pupil could not be prohibited from possessing or using a smartphone. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a)  There is growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by pupils at elementary and secondary schools during the schoolday interferes with the educational mission of the schools, lowers pupil performance, particularly among low-achieving pupils, promotes cyberbullying, and contributes to an increase in teenage anxiety, depression, and suicide. (b)  In September 2018, France adopted a nationwide smartphone ban in all primary and middle schools in order to promote pupil achievement and healthy social development. (c)  The London School of Economics and Political Science published a May 2015 study that found that test scores improved significantly at schools that banned mobile phone use, and that the most significant gains in pupil performance were made by the most disadvantaged and underachieving pupils. The study concluded that “schools could significantly reduce the education achievement gap by prohibiting mobile phone use in schools.” (d)  Dr. Jean Twenge, who is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, published a book in 2017 entitled “iGen,” which presents 95 evidence of an increase in depression and suicide among American teenagers that may be caused by increased mobile device screen time and social media use. According to Dr. Twenge, 8th grade pupils who spend 10 or more hours per week on social media are 56 percent more likely to describe themselves as unhappy than those who devote less time to social media. Moreover, teenagers who spend three hours per day or more on electronic devices are 35 percent more likely to demonstrate risk factors for suicide, such as suicidal ideation, and teenagers who spend five or more hours per day on their devices are 71 percent more likely to demonstrate a risk factor for suicide. SEC. 2. Section 48901.7 is added to the Education Code, to read: 48901.7. (a)  The governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a charter school may adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a schoolsite or while the pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district, county office of education, or charter school. (b)   Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a pupil shall not be prohibited from possessing or using a smartphone under any of the following circumstances: (1)  In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger. (2)  When a teacher or administrator of the school district, county office of education, or charter school grants permission to a pupil to possess or use a smartphone, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator. (3)  When a licensed physician and surgeon determines that the possession or use of a smartphone is necessary for the health or well-being of the pupil. (4)  When the possession or use of a smartphone is required in a pupil’s individualized education program. O 95 — 2 — Ch. 42 1 Testimony of Kristin Bride United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing on Protecting Our Children Online February 14, 2023 Thank you, Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Graham, and members of the committee. My name is Kristin Bride. I am a survivor parent and social media reform advocate, and member of the bipartisan Council for Responsible Social Media. I am testifying here today to bring a face to the harms occurring every day resulting from the unchecked power of the social media industry. This is my son Carson Bride with beautiful blue eyes, an amazing smile, and a great sense of humor, who will be forever 16 years old. As involved parents raising our two sons in Oregon, we thought we were doing everything right. We waited until Carson was in 8th grade to give him his first cell phone, an old phone with no apps. We talked to our boys about online safety and the importance of never sending anything online that you wouldn’t want your name and face next to on a billboard. Carson followed these guidelines. Yet tragedy still struck our family. It was June 2020; Carson had just gotten his first summer job making pizzas, and after a successful first night of training, he wrote his upcoming work schedule on our kitchen calendar. We expressed how proud we were of him for finding a job during the pandemic. In so many ways, it was a wonderful night, and we were looking forward to summer. The next morning, I woke to the complete shock and horror that Carson had hung himself in our garage while we slept. In the weeks that followed, we learned that Carson had been viciously cyberbullied by his “Snapchat friends,” his high school classmates who were using the anonymous apps Yolo and LMK on Snapchat to hide their identities. It wasn’t until Carson was a freshman in high school that we finally allowed him to have social media because that was how all the students were making new connections. What we didn’t know is that apps like Yolo and LMK were using popular social media platforms to promote anonymous messaging to hundreds of millions of teen users. After his death, we discovered that Carson had received nearly 100 negative, harassing, sexually explicit, and humiliating messages, including 40 in just one day. He asked his tormentors to “swipe up” and identify themselves so they could talk things out in person. No one ever did. The last search on his phone before Carson ended his life was for hacks to find out the identities of his abusers. Anonymous apps like Whisper, Sarahah, and YikYak have a long history of enabling cyberbullying, leading to teen suicides.1 The critical flaws in these platforms are compounded by the fact that teens do not typically report being cyberbullied. They are too fearful that their phones to which they are completely addicted will be taken away or that they will be labeled a snitch by their friends. 2 Yolo’s own policies stated that they would monitor for cyberbullying and reveal the identities of those who do so. I reached out to Yolo on 4 separate occasions in the months following Carson’s death, letting them know what happened to my son and asking them to follow their own policies. I was ignored all 4 times. At this point, I decided to fight back. I filed a National Class Action Lawsuit in May 2021, against Snap Inc., Yolo, and LMK.2 We believe Snap Inc. suspended Yolo and LMK from their platform because of our advocacy. However, our complaint against Yolo and LMK for product liability design defects and fraudulent product misrepresentation was dismissed in the Central District Court of California last month, citing Section 230 immunity.3 And still, new anonymous apps like NGL and sendit are appearing on social media platforms and charging teens subscription fees to reveal the messenger or provide useless hints. I speak before you today with the tremendous responsibility to represent the many other parents who have also lost their children to social media harms. In the audience are Rose Bronstein from Illinois who lost her son Nate and Christine McComas from Maryland who lost her daughter Grace, both to suicide after being viciously cyberbullied over social media. Our numbers continue to grow exponentially with teen deaths from dangerous online challenges fed to them on TikTok, sextortion over Facebook, fentanyl-laced drugs purchased over Snapchat, and deaths from eating disorder content over Instagram. I have included the stories of my fellow survivor parent advocates in this written testimony. Let us be clear—these are not coincidences, accidents, or unforeseen consequences. They are the direct result of products designed to hook and monetize America’s children. It should not take grieving parents filing lawsuits on behalf of their dead children to hold this industry accountable for their dangerous and addictive product designs. Federal legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which requires social media companies to have a duty of care when designing their products for America’s children, is long overdue. We need our lawmakers to step up, put politics aside, and finally protect all children online. Thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to answering your questions. 3 Cyberbullying Frequency (2022, Pew Research Center)4 US Teens aged 13-17 reported: • 46% experienced cyberbullying, with offensive name calling being the most common type of harassment • 22% had false rumors spread about them • 17% received explicit images they didn't ask for • 15% report being constantly asked where they are; what they are doing or who they are with by someone other than a parent • 10% reported receiving physical threats • 7% reported having explicit images of them shared without their consent Cyberbullying Impact (2018, Cyberbullying Research Center)5 Cyberbullying is more devastating than traditional bullying because: • The victim may not know who is bullying them due to anonymity. • Hurtful actions go viral which increases the audience and aggressors to limitless. • It is easier to be cruel on-line as no social cues exist. Cyberbullying and Suicidal Ideations (2022, JAMA Network Open Study)6 • Cyberbullying was the #1 cause of suicidal ideations in adolescents aged 10-13 years old based on a study of 10,414 United States adolescents. Cyberbullying Reporting: Reasons teens don’t report cyberbullying (2021)7: • Fear of losing their access to their technology: o The Pew Research Center reports that 65% of parents have taken away a teen’s phone or internet privileges as punishment.8 • They don’t want to be seen as snitch and lose even more social status. • Ashamed for being a target Parent Concerns (2023, Pew Research)9 • 35% of parents are worried that their kids may be bullied (2nd to Anxiety and Depression) 4 Citations: 1Ian Martin, Hugely Popular NGL App Offers Teenagers Anonymity In Comments About Each other (June 29, 2022), FORBES at https://www.forbes.com/sites/iainmartin/2022/06/29/hugely-popular-ngl- app-offers-teenagers-anonymity-in-comments-about-each-other/ 2Bride et al. v. Snap Inc., Yolo Technologies Inc., Lightspace Inc., No. 21-cv-6680 (Central District of California), ECF No. 1 (Class Action Complaint) 3Bride et al. v. Snap Inc., Yolo Technologies Inc., Lightspace Inc., No. 21-cv-6680 (Central District of California), ECF No. 142 (Order Dismissing Complaint) 4Vogels, E. (2022, Dec 15), Teens and Cyberbullying 2022, Pew Research Center, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/12/15/teens-and-cyberbullying-2022/ 5Hinduja, Sameer PhD., Patchin, Justin W. PhD., Cyberbullying, identification, Prevention and Response, (2018) at https://cyberbullying.org/Cyberbullying-Identification-Prevention-Response-2018.pdf 6Arnon S, Brunstein Klomek A, Visoki E, et al. (2022), Association of Cyberbullying Experiences and Perpetration With Suicidality in Early Adolescence (2022). JAMA Network Open. 2022;5(6):e2218746. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.18746 7 Dong, Menga, (2021, Feb 9), Why Teens Don’t Report Cyberbullying at https://desis.osu.edu/seniorthesis/index.php/2021/02/09/why-teens-dont-report-cyberbullying/ 8 Pew Research Statistics (2016, Jan 7), Parents Teens & Digital Monitoring at https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2016/01/07/parents-teens-and-digital-monitoring/ 9 Pew Research Statistics from Pew Research Center https://www.axios.com/2023/01/29/kids-parents- mental-health-depression-anxiety 5 Social Media Harms Parent Survivor Advocates Tawainna Anderson, Pennsylvania Tawainna lost her 10-year-old daughter, Nylah, last year when she tried the “Blackout Challenge” in a closet of their home. TikTok’s algorithm served Nylah a video featuring the dangerous challenge on her "For You" page. Tawainna discovered her daughter’s body next to her phone, and the strangulation marks on her neck suggested she desperately tried to free herself before she died. Joann Bogard, Indiana Joann’s son Mason died at age 15 years old after he participated in a challenge he’d seen on YouTube called “the Choking Game.” He was rushed to the hospital, but his parents had to make the heart wrenching decision to take him off life support and donate his organs. In the years since, Joann has reported hundreds of choking game videos to YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms but they have universally told her the videos don’t violate their guidelines, despite killing hundreds of children like Mason, because they have a commercial interest in maximizing content on their platforms. Kristin Bride, Oregon Kristin’s son, Carson was 16 years old when he died by suicide after he was viciously cyberbullied by his high school “Snapchat Friends” who were using the anonymous apps Yolo and LMK to hide their identities. Carson received over 100 humiliating, threatening and sexually explicit messages before he ended his life. The last search on his phone was for hacks to find out who was abusing him. When Kristin repeatedly contacted Yolo asking them to follow their own stated policies for monitoring and revealing the identities of those who cyberbully on their platform, she was ignored all 4 times. Rose Bronstein, Illinois Rose’s son Nate was 15 years old when he died by suicide after he was viciously cyberbullied by over 20 high school classmates. Nate received hateful and threatening messages via iMessage. A Snapchat message was created by a classmate and reposted 7 times by others. It included threats of physical harm and death. The Snapchat quickly went viral and reached hundreds of Chicago area students. Nate also received a separate Snapchat message that read “go kill yourself”. LaQuanta Hernandez, Texas LaQuanta’s 13-year-old daughter, Jazmine, was cyberbullied for months via TikTok and Instagram on the basis of her race. The bullies sent her racist comments and photos, including photoshopping her face onto Emmett Till’s body after being lynched by the KKK. Instagram took over three days to take down the posts. Jazmine was too scared to sleep in her own bed until the posts were taken down. 6 Tracy Kemp, Texas Tracy’s 14-year-old son Brayden was among a group of Black students who were targeted by racist cyberbullies on Instagram and Snapchat. The accounts used the school’s name and logo and called on other students to take and submit pictures of Black students without their consent. She says the racist cyberbullying has drastically affected her son’s mental health. The anonymity these platforms provide encourages this type of abusive and bullying behavior. Rosemarie Maneri, New York Shylynn was 16 years old when she was contacted by an adult via Facebook who coerced her into sending inappropriate photos of herself. Although she tried to block him, he reached out to her best friend and her best friend’s mom to get back into her life. He then threatened to release her photos to her friends and family if she did not continue to send him photos and continue the relationship with him. Embarrassed, scared and not knowing what to do to make it all go away, Shylynn died from suicide at just 18 years old. Christine McComas, Maryland Christine’s 14-year-old daughter Grace went from being a joyful, active teen to death by suicide in less than a year after malicious, death-wishing and dehumanizing cyber-abuse on Twitter. Christine screenshot the abuse and sought help from multiple public agencies including schools, police and the court system to no avail. The screenshot proof of social media abuse led to the unanimous passage of Maryland's criminal statute named Grace's Law less than a year after her death. An update to Grace's Law (2.0) was passed in 2019 to keep up with digital dangers. Annie McGrath, Wisconsin Annie’s son Griffin died at 13 years old after he participated in an online challenge called “the Choking Game.” Griffin had a YouTube channel and was trying to get more likes and comments on his videos, which may have tempted him to participate in the dangerous challenge. Maurine Molak, Texas David Molak died by suicide at the age of 16 after months of devastating and relentless cyberbullying by a group of students on Instagram, text, video, and GroupMe. Bullies threatened him and told him he should never go back to school. The cyberbullying left him feeling helpless and hopeless because neither he nor his parents could make it stop. Amy Neville, Arizona At 14, Amy’s son, Alexander Neville, had his whole life ahead of him until he took a single pill that he was led to believe was oxycodone. However, it contained deadly fentanyl. Snapchat made it easy for a drug dealer to connect with him. Unfortunately, Alexander’s case is not a one off situation. This happens everyday all across our country. 7 Erin Popolo, New Jersey Erin's daughter, Emily Murillo, was a special education student who was bullied in person for most of her school career. During the pandemic shutdown, the bullies continued to reach out to her via Snapchat and Instagram. At 17 years old Emily lost hope that she would ever be viewed as ‘normal’ by her peers and died by suicide in January of 2021. The bullying continued as hackers hijacked Emily’s Zoomed funeral, sending cruel messages, and posting inappropriate images on the Zoom for all of Emily’s mourning family to see, until they finally had to stop the funeral. Despina Prodromidis, New York Despina’s daughter Olivia died at 15 years old after meeting an adult stranger over Snapchat – a common problem across platforms who introduce kids to adult strangers to keep them engaged and online. This man gave her a drug which turned out to be pure fentanyl. Neveen Radwan, California Neveen’s 15-year-old daughter, Mariam, was an avid user of several social media platforms at the time of her anorexia diagnosis. These apps constantly bombarded her with “pro-ano” (pro- anorexia) content. The algorithms targeted her with “skinny challenges” and manipulated content that triggered her illness to an all-time high. She then embarked on a life-threatening journey of over 2 years, in multiple hospitals, and almost dying multiple times. Mary Rodee, New York Mary’s son, Riley, died by suicide at 15 years old. He was sextorted on Facebook by an adult who pretended to be a teenage girl and then threatened to release compromising images of Riley unless he gave them thousands of dollars. Riley, ashamed and frightened, died just six hours after the contact began. Facebook never responded when Mary and Riley’s father reported the incident. Judy Rogg, California Judy’s son, Erik Robinson, died at 12 years old after participating in the “choking challenge” that was and continues to be widely circulated on YouTube. Erik rarely used YouTube – he heard about the challenge from a friend who did, a sadly common pattern that shows even children whose parents don’t allow them access to social media are vulnerable to its harms. Investigators determined that Erik died from this just the day after he learned about it. He had no idea that this could cause harm or death. Deb Schmill, Massachusetts Deb’s daughter, Becca, died at 18 years old of fentanyl poisoning from drugs she and a friend purchased from a dealer they found on Snapchat. Becca was sexually assaulted at 15 by a boy she’d met on social media and, shortly after the assault, her peers started cyberbullying her by text and over Snapchat. Becca turned to drugs to help ease the pain and was unaware the drugs she bought over Snapchat – a massive, nearly untraceable drug market thanks to the platform’s design – contained fentanyl.