Today, the Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA) was honored to stand at the Capitol with Congressmembers, advocates, and parents of children victimized by social media. This vigil, organized by the Heat Initiative, highlighted the devastating impact technology has on our youth and the pressing need for Congress to take action.
Over 60 parents attended, holding photos of their children who died because of digital sexual violence, tech-facilitated suicide, and other social media harms. Parents speakers warned against the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), addictive algorithms, and corruptive content. The event was surrounded by 150 roses, each representing 10+ families harmed by Big Tech.
These 60+ brave parents urged Congress to pass laws regulating Big Tech to prevent digital sexual violence and other virtual harms.
Many spoke against ongoing attempts to limit state laws on AI, also known as an AI moratorium or AI preemption. If Congress passes an AI moratorium/preemption, state governments will be unable to enforce their states’ laws regarding AI, and new legislation will be halted. This has been proposed and failed several times.
“AI preemption is unconstitutional. Any federal effort to block state laws is a direct attack on states’ rights. Further, preemption weakens future federal laws. States act as legislative incubators, making blueprints for future federal laws,” said Omny Miranda Martone, Founder and CEO of the SVPA.
“All previous attempts to use Congress to deregulate AI by preempting state laws have failed. There is bipartisan agreement that states have the right to protect their citizens from AI-generated harms. Congress must put kids over profits.”
This vigil builds on the momentum from recent landmark rulings against Big Tech. In March, a New Mexico jury found Meta liable for enabling child sexual abuse. Also, in March, a California jury found both Meta and YouTube liable for knowingly offering products that were addictive and harmful.
These two monumental cases brought overwhelming evidence of Big Tech’s harms to light. Despite this, Congress has failed to pass substantial legislation preventing digital sexual violence or protecting children online.
Attending this event is the latest in SVPA’s advocacy against digital sexual violence. We drafted the DEFIANCE Act, a federal bill addressing nonconsensual deepfake pornography, which passed the Senate unanimously in January. We endorsed state bills addressing AI safety and child protection in Nebraska (LB1083), Utah (HB286), and Tennessee (HB1898). We also endorsed a bill in California (AB2212) addressing digital sexual violence in higher education. Lastly, SVPA developed the 5 R’s of Digital Bystander Intervention, a comprehensive guide for addressing and preventing digital sexual violence.
“Hear the voices of the families here today,” said Toney Roberts, whose 14-year-old daughter, Englyn’s, suicide death was fueled by social media. “How many more children have to be harmed or die before meaningful legislation is passed?”
