Glen Weiner

Executive Director of Coalition to Empower our Future @empwrourfuture

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

There is broad consensus that America’s youth are facing unprecedented challenges around mental health and wellbeing. That’s why I’m proud to share the launch of @empwrourfuture today.

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

As a parent, I believe young people need the same protections on every platform they use, and I’m not alone. More than 20,000 parents nationwide have signed @empwrourfuture's petition calling for consistent online safeguards across platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat. Read more: https://t.co/keMPYm02hP

[The Floridian @Floridianpress]

SOCIAL MEDIA📵:

A Coalition to Empower our Future poll finds more than four-in-five parents support Meta's new youth online-safety measures, and want TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to adopt the same protections.

https://t.co/YSxC8ZFhk4

[Coalition to Empower our Future @empwrourfuture]

CEF polling and focus group findings show parents want consistent online safety protections for teens across platforms. @Floridianpress explores what these findings mean for Florida families and the broader conversation around youth online safety. https://t.co/SEDcgFK303

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

@empwrourfuture’s research found that parents aren’t just backing the agreement between the states and Meta: 80% would support their state legislature putting these online safety measures into law. More in @WashTimes: https://t.co/Yrh20ZIAi0

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

The agreement between the states and Meta is an important first step. Now YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and others should do the same. @empwrourfuture's research found 84% of parents want these protections to be consistent across the industry. @WashTimes has more: https://t.co/A9bIvxS24v

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

Technology will be part of young people’s education, careers and daily lives. The question is not whether they will use these tools, but whether they will have the skills to navigate them safely and responsibly.

Parents and voters overwhelmingly support digital literacy initiatives, including online safety lessons for students, digital wellness guides for parents and media literacy training for teachers. Preparing young people for the future requires education, not avoidance. https://t.co/7efbz2f8bZ

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

This article raises an important question. Could overly restrictive bans unintentionally create new risks without addressing the challenges young people already face?

Researchers warn that teens may simply move to encrypted or less-regulated spaces, and those who rely on online communities for connection and support could be affected most.

We should listen to young people, help them build digital skills to navigate technology safely.
https://t.co/yYq0omdTOd

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

More than 80 percent of parents we surveyed want other social media platforms to adopt the same online safety measures set forth by the states and Meta. Parents are telling us they want consistent, dependable safeguards wherever their kids spend time online. https://t.co/A9bIvxRueX

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

Parents want consistency — not a different set of controls and safeguards on every platform their kids use. This week, one social media company announced its own approach. While well-intentioned, varying protections from platform to platform puts the burden back on families. https://t.co/WIfpHH4hgN

[Coalition to Empower our Future @empwrourfuture]

Meet Cassie, a parent who sees firsthand how various factors, including a young person’s environment and support system, can impact their mental health and wellbeing:

“Youth mental health isn’t just about one issue. It’s about the environment around them, what they’re exposed to, who they talk to, whether they feel seen and whether the adults in their lives are equipped to support them.”

Hear more from parents like Cassie about the comprehensive solutions young people need to feel seen, supported and equipped to thrive. https://t.co/aQPl5szDhV

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

In my letter in the @BostonGlobe, I describe how hard it is to keep up with what my kids see online. The states' agreement with Meta offers meaningful protections for teens and tools to empower parents. Now we need consistent guardrails across all platforms.
https://t.co/bZKkpUHasI

[The Washington Times @WashTimes]

A new poll commissioned by the Coalition to Empower our Future found that 81% of surveyed parents support Meta's settlement agreement, which introduces screen time limits and expanded parental controls for users under 18. https://t.co/8hQJpBGw9L

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

Blanket social media bans can look like action, but will they address the wide range of reasons young people are struggling without unintended consequences?

This article from @Independent highlights scientists’ concerns that overly restrictive bans could push teens toward harder-to-monitor spaces and disrupt important sources of friendship, learning and support.

Young people’s digital lives exist within a much larger system. Our solutions should reflect that complexity and include their voices.
https://t.co/6eshFIoPlp

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

As a parent, I know we need to prepare young people for a digital world by having conversations about technology and teaching digital literacy. In order for young people to thrive in today’s climate, they need the knowledge and skills to navigate it.

There is broad support for online safety education for students, digital wellness resources for parents and media literacy training for teachers. Nearly 90 percent of parents also say both young people and parents should learn how to use AI safely.

Families aren’t asking for less education about technology – they’re asking for more. https://t.co/M8ukOsEiQu

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

Parents want practical tools to help keep their kids safe online, and they want those protections wherever their kids spend time.

The agreement between states and Meta is a meaningful step forward. Now, other platforms should adopt similar measures.

Hear directly from parents:

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

As a parent, I know we need to prepare young people for a digital world by having conversations about technology and teaching digital literacy. In order for young people to thrive in today’s climate, they need the knowledge and skills to navigate it.

There is broad support for online safety education for students, digital wellness resources for parents and media literacy training for teachers. Nearly 90 percent of parents also say both young people and parents should learn how to use AI safely.

Families aren’t asking for less education about technology – they’re asking for more. https://t.co/53WbK2QJxh

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

Nearly 75 percent of parents and voters support comprehensive solutions over approaches focused on one factor, such as device bans. We need to look at the full picture of a young person’s life and address the many pressures that may be affecting their wellbeing.

That is the type of thoughtful, comprehensive approach I want for my own family and for every young person. https://t.co/eUbxSW4Pak

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

Thank you to The Loop for having me on to discuss the agreement between the states and Meta and @empwrourfuture's new poll gauging parent reactions. We found four-in-five parents support the new online safeguards and want to see other platforms enact the same ones. Consistency in these protections is an important part of a comprehensive approach to youth wellbeing.

[Glen Weiner @glen__weiner]

As a parent, I deeply appreciate the states and Meta’s new tools that help empower me to keep my kids safe online. I’m not alone in that either. @empwrourfuture's new poll found 81 percent of parents support these landmark online safety measures.

[Coalition to Empower our Future @empwrourfuture]

Parents across the country expressed their support for the agreement between the states and Meta including new online protections for youth and tools to empower parents. Listen to their perspectives and calls for other companies to make similar commitments. https://t.co/7i3S8Ub2Lk