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AMERICAN <br /> V AM PSY'CN^ OLOGICA <br /> Usm wow ASSOCIATION <br /> TMEM Now SERVICES,INC. <br /> p <br /> more robust to allow for instances to be tracked and discouraged. Reforms to platform user <br /> experience should be prioritized to ensure members of these communities are protected from <br /> disproportionate harm. <br /> Specific legislation has been proposed across the federal government that would take <br /> productive steps in mitigating the known negative impacts of social media. The Kids Online Safety <br /> Act(KOSA) is one such piece of legislation. In 2022, APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, said, <br /> "The Kids Online Safety Act is an important first step in reining in the harms caused to children <br /> by social media platforms," and "enacting measures that curtail harmful practices while <br /> authorizing research to understand additional impacts is a thoughtful strategy"47. KOSA and other <br /> previously proposed legislative fixes such as updates to the Children Online Privacy and Protection <br /> Act represent important steps by Congress and I encourage their debate and adoption. <br /> APA is heartened by the focus on mental health in Congress, and eager to work with this <br /> committee and its members to develop legislation and enact the bills cited above. Your actions <br /> now can make all the difference in how our young people interact with and are impacted by online <br /> spaces. Together, psychology, other scientific disciplines, parents, caregivers, teachers, tech <br /> companies, and policymakers can work to solve this serious problem. APA is a ready partner and <br /> looks forward to working with the committee to put in place critical changes to our current system <br /> that improve the lives of our children and the flourishing of online spaces. <br /> 47(2023).Apaservices.org.https:!lwww.apaservices.org/advocacy/news/kids-online-safety-legislation <br /> 22 <br /> APA.ORG <br /> APASERVICES.ORG <br /> 750 Furst street,NIIE 202.336.5800 <br /> Advocating for APA wwrribers ood psychology Washington,DC'20002-4242 202.336,6123 TDD <br />