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from my device. I am still recovering today from the damage caused by social media and hyper aware that many of its effects are long lasting, if not permanent. Senators, my story does not exist in isolation- it is a story representative of my generation, Generation Z. As the first digital natives, we grew up alongside technology. We have never known a world without the internet. Every answer has been a Google search away, every moment captured on Facebook or Instagram. To be clear, social media can enhance our connective, expressive, and exploratory capabilities, but we are onlyjust beginning to understand the consequences associated with growing up online. Yet, it is from our lived experience as Generation Z - the generation most harmed - that we can begin to build the most promising solutions. Decision makers from other generations must hear from us to fully understand the challenges and opportunities associated with being a young person in the digital world. It is only when young people are given a space at the table that effective solutions can emerge and safer online spaces can be created. The power of youth voices in the space is far too great to continue to be ignored. This is why, as a senior in high school, after years of researching and reflecting on my own relationship with social media, I founded the LOG OFF Movement. I knew a community had to be created by young people for young people to tackle the complexities of social media and its impact on younger generations. Through LOG OFF, I have engaged with youth around the world who have shared their experiences of harm with me. I've listened to stories of unwanted direct messages, vicious cyberbullying, and dangerous pro-anorexia rabbit holes. While our stories may differ, as young people we share the frustration of being portrayed as passive victims of Big Tech when in reality, we are ready to be included as active agents of change; rebuilding new, and safer online space for the next generation. Ten years from now social media will not be what it is today, it will be what people of my generation build it to be. We want to build it differently, we want to build it right. I came here today as the representative for those young changemakers. To be the voice not just of those of my generation who have been harmed or who are currently struggling, but as a voice for all the 12-year-old girls yet to come.The genie is out of the bottle, and screen time across younger generations is only increasing, with t,;;Ie,n„u„ ;u„Ib, „ir,,,,, ;f,,,,U„ ,,,,,teen, „ ears