DEAR EDITOR:

Parents today face a challenging balancing act: keeping our kids safe online while ensuring they can access important digital resources. As both a father and youth sports leader in our community, I want Congress to get this right. That’s why I’m concerned about the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA). While it aims to protect young people online, its approach would create more problems than it solves.

The bill’s ban on algorithmic content for users under 17 would eliminate helpful features that actually keep our kids safe. These same systems help my sons find educational content for their schoolwork and allow our student athletes to connect with positive sports communities online. Meanwhile, the bill inexplicably exempts YouTube Kids while restricting other platforms — a double standard that makes no sense.

We need solutions that empower parents to make decisions about their children’s online access, not sweeping government mandates that could leave our kids less protected. Instead of KOSMA’s flawed approach, Congress should focus on implementing app store-level parental controls that would give families a straightforward way to manage their children’s digital activities.

Working in logistics and running a small business has taught me the importance of efficient, straightforward solutions. Parents don’t need more complexity in their lives – they need simple, effective tools to keep their kids safe. App store verification would provide exactly that, letting parents decide when their children are ready for different platforms while maintaining the safety features that help protect them online.

As both a parent and business leader, I understand the importance of practical, effective solutions. KOSMA isn’t one of them.

KENNETH STUMP

Newar