Following a landmark $18 billion settlement with Meta, family advocates call on TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to put children’s safety ahead of profits.
By Josue Sierra
Our children deserve online protection, not exploitation for profit. Yet millions of young Americans continue to navigate social media platforms designed to capture their attention, encourage compulsive use, and expose them to potentially harmful content.
Now, Pennsylvania Family Institute is joining a growing national coalition demanding change.
On behalf of concerned parents in Pennsylvania, we have signed onto a https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/social-media-giants-pressed-adopt-tougher-safeguards-children-kids-under-attacknational coalition letter urging TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to adopt stronger protections for children.
The effort, organized by the American Principles Project (APP), brings together parents, child advocates, faith-based organizations, and family policy leaders from across the country. Their message is straightforward: Protecting children online should be the standard, not the exception.
The coalition’s demands were featured in an October 13 Fox Business report that highlighted growing pressure on social media companies to take responsibility for young users’ safety.
A Landmark Settlement Sets a New Standard
The coalition’s letter follows a significant development in the fight to protect children online.
In August, a bipartisan coalition of 52 state attorneys general announced a settlement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, worth up to $18 billion.
Beyond the financial settlement, Meta agreed to implement substantial changes intended to protect minors from harmful and addictive platform features.
Those safeguards include:
- Strict daily limits on social media use.
- Restrictions on access during school hours and overnight.
- Stronger parental controls over algorithms and autoplay.
- Hidden “likes” by default.
- Age verification requirements.
These changes represent an important step toward restoring parental authority and holding technology companies accountable.
But there’s a serious problem: Children don’t use just Facebook and Instagram.
If a teenager faces new restrictions on Instagram but can simply spend additional hours scrolling through TikTok or YouTube, how much has really changed? That’s precisely why this coalition is demanding industry-wide action.
The Dangers Extend Far Beyond Instagram
The letter identifies troubling risks across today’s most popular social media platforms.
According to the coalition, YouTube’s recommendation algorithms can expose young viewers to increasingly graphic violence, sexual content, and dangerous behavior.
TikTok has faced scrutiny over the impact of its platform on teenagers’ mental health, particularly among young girls struggling with anxiety and body image concerns. Snapchat has also raised serious concerns about predators and drug dealers using the platform to contact minors.
These aren’t merely questions about screen time. They’re about protecting childhood innocence, strengthening families, and ensuring parents have meaningful authority over what their children encounter online.
Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, told Fox Business that social media companies must recognize that “our kids always need to be protected.” He also emphasized the responsibility that technology companies have to address the dangers their platforms create.
“We need to do a better job of cleaning up the internet,” Schilling told Fox Business.
Pennsylvania Family Leaders Speak Up
By signing the coalition letter, Pennsylvania Family Council is adding Pennsylvania’s voice to a nationwide effort to demand greater accountability from Big Tech.
The following statement can be attributed to Tom Shaheen, VP of Policy at PA Family Institute:
“Parents should not have to fight billion-dollar technology companies just to protect their children. These platforms have a responsibility to stop exposing kids to harmful content and addictive features that undermine parental authority. Protecting childhood innocence should always come before corporate profits. We’re proud to stand with families across America in demanding that Big Tech do better.”
The coalition also highlights legislative efforts in states including Utah, Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama to strengthen age verification and parental consent requirements.
These measures recognize a fundamental principle: Parents, not technology companies, should have the primary authority to determine which digital platforms their children can access.
Until broader protections become law, the coalition is calling on TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to voluntarily adopt the safeguards established through Meta’s settlement.
Standing Together for Our Children
Protecting children in the digital age requires vigilance, accountability, and a willingness to challenge corporations that profit from children’s attention.
At Pennsylvania Family Institute, we believe parents have both the God-given responsibility and the right to guide and protect their children. Technology should never be permitted to undermine that authority.
To our faithful supporters: Thank you. Your prayers, generosity, and continued partnership make it possible for Pennsylvania Family Institute to stand alongside families, speak out against harmful policies and practices, and be a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves.
Together, we will continue defending children, strengthening families, and working toward a future where their safety and well-being come first.
