Sen. Muñoz, Rep. Herndon Bolster Gov. Lujan Grisham’s Call for Legislative Action
Youth Digital Safety Concerns Rising as AG Torrez’s Lawsuit vs. Meta Continues
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Kids Code Coalition joined bill sponsors Sen. George Muñoz and Rep. Pamelya Herndon in applauding Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for listing the New Mexico Kids Code as one of her top 2024 legislative priorities the day after it was reintroduced.
“The Governor continues to lead on public safety and youth well-being here in New Mexico with the support she announced today for our kids’ digital safety and privacy bill,” said Sen. Muñoz. “With the Governor and her Administration’s support, we’re more optimistic than ever about passing meaningful online protections for kids this year in the form of New Mexico’s Kids Code legislation.”
The Governor’s support for the bill follows mounting calls across the state for action on youth online safety. Last month, Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, detailing evidence that its platforms facilitate sexual harassment, exploitation and trafficking of minors in New Mexico.
“We all know that young people in New Mexico are struggling, and social media is a big part of the problem,” said Rep. Herndon. “The Governor’s support for this bill sends a clear signal to concerned New Mexicans: we understand that kids and families are facing an unprecedented digital emergency, and help is on the way.”
The New Mexico Kids Code Coalition, an advocacy group whose membership includes local parents, educators, health professionals, and business leaders, joined the Governor and sponsors in calling for legislators to pass the bill during 2024’s abbreviated legislative session:
“As a coalition, we thank the Governor for her leadership and join her in calling on our legislators to stand up for young New Mexicans by pushing this critical public safety bill over the finish line. For too long, Big Tech companies have endangered our kids’ health and safety while exploiting them for profit – in 2024, we need lawmakers to step up and hold Big Tech accountable.”
Sen. Muñoz and Rep. Herndon formally introduced the 2024 version of the New Mexico Kids Code earlier this week. The bill is inspired by the age-appropriate design code legislative model, which has quickly become the global gold standard for protecting children and teens’ privacy online.
Learn more about the New Mexico Kids Code:
Proposed legislation aims to keep New Mexico children safe online
KOB 4 Eyewitness News – Jan. 18, 2024
Community support for the 2024 New Mexico Kids Code
- KKOB – Erin Armijo on The Weekend with Terry Travis – Kids Code Gets Personal
- Santa Fe New Mexican – Dr. Laurence Shandler – Kids need protection from the online world
- Eastern New Mexico News – Tracy Kemp – Bill would help hold social media groups responsible
- Albuquerque Journal – Maria Rogahn – Make social media safe for vulnerable teens
- KKOB – Greta McAnany on The Weekend with Terry Travis – Child Safe Internet
- Albuquerque Journal – Erin Armijo – Social media platforms are choosing not to protect kids
Why we need action on Kids Code legislation
- Attorney General Raúl Torrez – Lawsuit Against Meta Platforms and Mark Zuckerberg to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking
- U.S. Surgeon General – Advisory on Social Media & Youth Mental Health
- Pew Research Center – Teens, Social Media & Technology 2023
- Children and Screens Institute for Digital Media – Social Media, Drugs & Youth
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Social Media Platforms Generate Billions in Annual Ad Revenue from U.S. Youth
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