By Coco Lammers, Chair, End OSEAC Coalition , and US Policy Director, End OEAC, ChildFund International
Content Warning(s): references to online child sexual abuse
As we step into 2025, it is clear that protecting children online is more important than ever. With the constant buzz about the incoming administration, tech CEOs and their agendas, and the powerful influence of tech lobbies, it can feel overwhelming to know where to turn. Instead of focusing on these giants, let’s turn our attention to the most vulnerable among us: children.
The Current Landscape
Children today face numerous online threats, from exploitation and manipulation of their images by strangers to targeted harassment and exploitation by known individuals. The numbers are frightening, as according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), reports of suspected child sexual exploitation rose from 29.4 million to over 36 million between 2021-2023.
After the holidays, think about how many kids and young people have spent significantly more time online or have gained access to new devices. These devices can be powerful tools for connectivity and information, but the companies that make and distribute these devices and their apps are not investing in the appropriate technology to protect children from online harms. Additionally, the lack of tech accountability within the legal system leaves survivors of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSEAC), and their families, struggling to access justice.
The Building Momentum on Policy Change for Children Online
Recent legislative efforts aim to address these issues by creating safer online environments and enhancing data privacy for minors. The last Congress saw significant progress with the REPORT Act and Project Safe Childhood passage. Additionally, there were major advances on KOSA, SHIELD, TakeItDown, Stop CSAM, and the EARN IT acts. This momentum, supported by strong bipartisan efforts, including Republican leadership, highlights the growing recognition of the need to protect kids online.
The Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force was created in 2023 by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Commerce, which released a report outlining best practices for families and guidance for the industry in late 2024, emphasizing the need for systemic policy changes and calls for bipartisan federal legislation to protect children online.
The Role of the Incoming Administration and Congress
The Trump administration has the opportunity to do even more to protect kids online. Recently, the End OSEAC Coalition sent a policy priorities letter to the incoming administration, urging the president to consider the following proposals:
- Invest in programs that prevent the initial abuse or exploitation of children, including thorough technology-facilitated interactions.
- Establish a senior leadership position in the White House to coordinate action at the federal level on all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Mobilize financial resources for prevention, response, and data collection efforts.
- Work with Congress to develop comprehensive national legislation to include policies, programs, and research to prevent all forms of sexual violence against children.
- Support child survivors of all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation by increasing investment in and the availability of comprehensive, victim-centered, and trauma-informed assistance programs.
The 119th Congress can act quickly by working across the aisle and reintroducing the bills that did not fully advance during the last Congress. Members can also work collaboratively with civil society and survivors to advance policies to protect kids online and promote tech accountability.
The Power of Collaboration
Looking ahead, there is a huge opportunity to continue educating, raising awareness, and advocating for systemic policy changes to #ProtectKidsOnline. Collaboration with individuals and organizations championing this cause, and especially with lived experience experts, is crucial. By working together, we can create a safer digital world for children.
A Collective Voice
To counteract the powerful pro-tech, anti-consumer messaging that often puts all the pressure on parents, we need a collective voice and a consistent message. This unified approach can help cut through the noise and demand that tech companies take responsibility. It’s not just about parents managing their children’s online presence; it’s about implementing appropriate technological measures to prevent and respond to issues like OSEAC and creating accountability for when harm has occurred. A consistent and collective voice can drive the necessary changes to protect our kids.
By focusing on the needs of the most marginalized, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that our children are protected in the digital age. Let’s make 2025 the year we take significant steps toward a safer online environment for all kids everywhere.
