Stop Digital Harm Launched Today

(Charlottesville, VA.)—For Immediate Release

Contact: Chris Bullivant 

The Institute for Family Studies (IFS) Family First Technology Initiative announces a new campaign to "Stop Digital Harm," which will confront the brokers of digital harm, the app stores.

91% of 14-year-olds own a smartphone. Smartphones and app stores function as the gateway between young users and harmful content. They control access to millions of apps and digital services yet fail to effectively restrict minors from inappropriate material or engaging in exploitative contracts with powerful corporations. To break the hold of these platforms on our kids, app store regulation is critical.

This can be done if we take three important steps applied to the app stores, the brokers of digital harm:

1. Age-verification,
2. Parental consent, and
3. Industry transparency.

Stop Digital Harm has already been endorsed by a number of important child advocacy organizations, including: 

• The Institute for Family Studies, 
• Digital Progress Institute, 
• Ethics and Public Policy Center,
• The American Principles Project, 
• The Heritage Foundation, 
• Enough Is Enough, 
• Protect Young Eyes, 
• National Center on Sexual Exploitation, and more.

www.stopdigitalharm.com

The IFS launches  StopDigitalHarm.com today, where you can join the campaign, find a model bill, and other resources.

Michael Toscano, Director of the IFS Family First Technology Initiative, and IFS Executive Director, says: 

"App store accountability means safe kids and empowered parents. We are delighted to lead this significant partnership to make stop digital harm and hope that many more will join us."

ENDS.