Dear John,
While the news has been full in recent weeks, you may not
have heard about the news we have to share with you anywhere else. That’s why
we’re back with policy updates that are significant for you and your family.
AI Chatbots Groom America’s Children
You probably know that chatbot apps allow users, including children, to have life-like conversations with AI. But did you know that these bots’ personalities can be tailored however the user wants, even to the point of being modeled after real people or using celebrity voices?
Common Sense Media reported that these platforms are discouraging human relationships, engaging in inappropriate sexual conversations with children, and encouraging harmful behaviors. There are virtually no existing guardrails, and those that do exist are easy to circumvent, with no robust age-verification protections. This exposes children to harmful conversations and easy access to sexually inappropriate and explicit content. Already, Character.AI is facing two lawsuits: one, after a 14-year-old boy took his life seconds after a conversation with its bot, and another for leading a 17-year-old to self-harm.
In addition, Meta also launched an AI chatbot across its
social media platforms that came under fire after a Wall Street Journal article
revealed how easily the chatbot engaged in harmful and sexually inappropriate conversations, regardless of the stated age of the user. In response, U.S. Senators Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to Meta CEO
Mark Zuckerberg demanding answers.
Be sure to check this
week’s episode of House to Home, where Grace and Jospeh
recap this event and what it means for policy solutions going forward. If
you’re unsure whether your family is protected when they’re online, check out our Tech-Ready Family
course
today!
“Let June be the month when
we recommit to the American ideal that every single life has dignity—every
little boy, every little girl; that there is no person who is beneath the law’s
protection; that we are a nation not of death but of life—a nation that chooses
life—and that is a cause to celebrate,” said U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as
he introduced his House Joint Resolution to designate June as “Life Month.”
This resolution not only
marks the third anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the
landmark decision of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, but it also signifies a commitment to continually fight for the unborn. Family
Policy Alliance strongly supported this resolution and, with gratitude, stands
with Senator Cruz’s office in affirming that every life is precious, valued,
and worth protecting. We commit to continuing to fight for those who cannot
speak up for themselves. Thank you to Senator Cruz for boldly standing for life!
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted an
event called "The Attention Economy: How Big Tech Firms Exploit Children and Hurt Families." My
colleague, Joseph Kohm, our director of public policy, was invited to participate
in a panel discussion alongside Louisiana State Rep. Laurie Schlegel, American
Principles Project President Terry Schilling, and Digital Childhood Alliance
Founder Melissa McKay. The panel discussed how age-verification technology is
being employed by states to protect children from exposure to online pornography
and the dangers of social media and the unregulated app market. Joseph spoke
about FPA’s work to protect kids and empower parents online through our Let Parents Parent Campaign and our determination to fight for families against Big Tech and
the Sex Industry. Video of the event can be viewed here.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as important events
unfold across the country and in our nation’s capital. Thank you for standing
with us through your faithful prayers, involvement and financial support
which make these updates, as well as our ability to serve as your voice,
possible.
For the family,
