Darkhorse Press
Fitch Joins Bipartisan Call for Congress to Pass Kids Online Safety Act
By Therese Apel
JACKSON — Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general Tuesday in urging Congress to pass the federal Kids Online Safety Act, warning that social media platforms pose growing threats to children’s physical and mental health.
In a letter signed by 40 attorneys general from across the country, Fitch and her colleagues called on House and Senate leaders to approve legislation that would strengthen protections for minors online and hold technology companies more accountable.
“Social media platforms promise connectivity, but that is not without consequences,” Fitch said in a statement. “These platforms pose serious physical and mental health risks to our children. Parents are desperate for help because they are up against the best digital engineers with the unlimited resources of their social media cartel employers.”
Fitch said states have begun taking action to protect children but need support from federal lawmakers.
“It is time for Congress to join the fight, update the rules of the game, and help protect children with laws written to address the digital age,” she said, noting her support for the legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, and co-sponsored by Mississippi Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker.
The attorneys general expressed particular concern about the House version of the bill, H.R. 6484, saying its broad preemption language could undermine existing and future state laws aimed at protecting minors online. The group said the Senate version, S. 1748, better preserves state authority while imposing a “duty of care” requirement on social media companies.
Fitch is currently defending Mississippi’s own online child safety law, the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, in a lawsuit brought by the technology industry group NetChoice. The case was recently argued before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The push for federal action comes as attorneys general across the country have launched investigations and lawsuits against major social media companies, including Meta and TikTok, over allegations they target and exploit underage users. The coalition said mounting evidence shows that addictive design features used by the platforms are harming children and teens.
Fitch said stronger federal protections are urgently needed as those legal battles continue.
Along with Mississippi, the letter was signed by attorneys general from Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio, Tennessee and more than 30 other states and territories.
Fitch has also promoted online safety through her #BeAwareBeforeYouShare campaign, which highlights the dangers children face on social media and includes testimony from families affected by online exploitation.
A copy of the letter to Congress was released publicly by the attorneys general.