Thank you, @EdwardLonge for the opportunity to host @JustinWilmethAZ and @AronMaberry for a discussion on some of the most important technology and innovation issues facing policymakers today.
As states increasingly lead the way on AI policy, legislators are often moving faster than Washington to address the opportunities and concerns their constituents encounter every day. Our conversation explored how AI can be integrated into K–12 education, how parents can confidently say “yes” to technology for their children while managing risks, and the ways state governments can responsibly adopt AI to improve operations and public services.
There is still time to secure your seat for the 2026 Florida Tech and Innovation Summit next week!
You won’t want to miss @JustinWilmethAZ, @AronMaberry, and Stacie Rumenap with @DCIGroup
as they explore critical tech and innovation issues from a policymaking perspective.
Secure your seat today: https://t.co/KSOOBE9XWc
Powerful reporting from @JohnBarrX highlights the critical work being done by the @DHSgov and @HSI_HQ to protect kids online. Through the Know2Protect campaign and Project iGuardian, HSI is helping parents, schools and teens recognize threats like sextortion, grooming and online exploitation before tragedy strikes. Their work is leading to real investigations and child rescues - proof that education, prevention and law enforcement working together can save lives. Shout out to Kate Kennedy for her incredible leadership on this initiative!
Homeland Security Investigations weaponizes education in fight against online child abuse https://t.co/lLRu8sUmaK
Real online safety starts with law enforcement. This National Police Week, Congress should fully fund the PROTECT Our Children Act so ICAC task forces have the tools and personnel to investigate the millions of tips reported by tech companies.
This National Police Week, Congress must prioritize real solutions for online safety.
Instead of unconstitutional mandates, policymakers should fully fund the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008 and give law enforcement the tools they need to stop digital criminals. 👮
Big Tech has been in the crosshairs - in courtrooms & in Congress. Interesting then to hear the perspective of @moflatley, a woman who has fought the child safety fight for decades, lately with @stoppredators. My story tonight on @7NewsDC. https://t.co/VTMctvmATj
In her latest oped @moflatley talks about decades of research showing that survivors of childhood sexual abuse are more likely to suffer depression, more likely to have anxiety disorders and far more likely to meet criteria for PTSD, sleep disorders, or even tragically attempting suicide. More ⬇️
https://t.co/7gEiFfkW7K
In 2023, tech companies reported 4,700 CyberTips involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material to NCMEC. Last year, that number surged to 1.5 million. That’s why we work alongside Homeland Security Investigations to support efforts to stop predators, disrupt exploitation, and protect kids online. #HSIHeros
https://t.co/ClBeNSNxLJ
Outrage isn’t a strategy. Protecting kids online shouldn’t be about scoring points against tech. It should be about building solutions that actually work. And when proposals overreach by shifting responsibility away from parents and toward government control, they risk missing the mark entirely.
The real path forward is collaboration: empowering parents, holding platforms accountable in practical ways, and focusing on tools and education that make a measurable difference for kids.
ABC News affiliate WJLA reports that Congress remains stalled even as juries hand down verdicts against Big Tech for “harming kids.” But SCP’s @moflatley offers a different perspective, telling @LindseyGrahamSC and others that pitting parents against tech companies misses the point: “If anyone thinks that this approach is going to protect kids, they're out of their minds.” It’s just one reason she’s a leading voice on child safety! #TellItLikeItIs @JohnBarrX
https://t.co/OLby2adbRM
To close out #NationalChildAbuseAwarenessMonth, SCP is proud to join @AmericanFreedom in demanding strategic action & stronger enforcement to tackle the child exploitation crisis. We urge @TheJusticeDept to break tradition and make child abuse prevention a top priority.
Child exploitation continues to be a serious problem.
AAF is proud to lead a coalition letter outlining steps the DOJ can take to help combat it.
Here’s what the DOJ can do:
✔️Release a timely, updated National Strategy to combat child exploitation
✔️Publish a long-overdue report on victim restitution progress ✔️Strengthen enforcement to ensure offenders are prosecuted and victims receive timely support
Child exploitation continues to be a serious problem.
AAF is proud to lead a coalition letter outlining steps the DOJ can take to help combat it.
Here’s what the DOJ can do:
✔️Release a timely, updated National Strategy to combat child exploitation
✔️Publish a long-overdue report on victim restitution progress ✔️Strengthen enforcement to ensure offenders are prosecuted and victims receive timely support
SCP is proud to support @KR_Bledsoe, @AFPhq and other leaders to advance the @POTUS national AI framework. This approach focuses on giving parents tools to control their children's digital environments while pushing for a uniform national standard + protects American AI dominance. @moflatley
"AFP is proud to lead a coalition of top AI leaders working to advance the @POTUS national AI framework and secure American AI dominance. We stand ready to work with Congress to ensure it is made into law.” - Katelyn Bledsoe @KR_Bledsoe
https://t.co/sr4QctuXZK
@moflatley and @donmcgowan rightly point out that KOSA doesn’t address the often overlooked threat to child “stars.” There’s lots of talk about how parents need help in keeping their children off the internet. But what happens when the parents are the ones putting them there?
KOSA doesnt' help these kids. No one's talking about "protecting" these kids. They're on their own. W/ favorite collaborator @donmcgowan
https://t.co/gWHZ5ZOMlO
“CSAM is not a problem to be solved by social media regulation, but one to be solved by law enforcement,” writes @davidbmcgarry of @Protectaxpayers for The American Spectator. SCP’s very own @moflatley is quoted - a must-read!
https://t.co/GzJevccp1M
At the heart of any child safety bill should be 1) funding law enforcement 2) parental empowerment 3) did we mention funding law enforcement? Kids are protected when perpetrators are held accountable.
This is what all 75 Senators below are voting for by putting bills like KOSA before serious law enforcement intervention & tough sentencing guidelines for predators. KOSA doesn't stop this. It doesn't protect one child from David Allen Funston. This is what causes child exploitation.
https://t.co/BKLsmgXbYg
This is what all 75 Senators below are voting for by putting bills like KOSA before serious law enforcement intervention & tough sentencing guidelines for predators. KOSA doesn't stop this. It doesn't protect one child from David Allen Funston. This is what causes child exploitation.
https://t.co/BKLsmgXbYg
Having worked with @ICACTASKFORCE in other cities, New Orleans’ families will be safer thanks to @LizMurrillforLA announcement and the great work of over 5000 federal, state and local law enforcement who investigate and prosecute internet crimes against children.
Today, I’m proud to stand alongside leaders from various law enforcement organizations in the Greater New Orleans area to announce the creation of the Orleans Metro ICAC Task Force, which will be housed at the Kenner Police Department. Members of the Task Force will be equipped with the latest technology to collaboratively address the rising numbers of tips related to child exploitation in the area.
https://t.co/qsETqqvooJ
Normally good ideas come out of states. But not always. That’s why SCP joined @AFPhq and more than 40 groups calling for federal AI uniformity over a patchwork of bad state bills to strengthen US innovation, protect consumers, promote competition, and safeguard national security. Learn more. @katelynbledsoe1@moflatley
“AFP is proud to lead a coalition of 40+ organizations calling for federal AI preemption. As state regulations threaten innovation and national security, we appreciate President Trump’s leadership and urge Congress to act.”
— Katelyn Bledsoe, Managing Director, External Affairs
@AFPhq SCP is proud to join @AFPhq and others to advocate for a unified standard to address AI instead of a patchwork of inconsistent state laws, especially as we consider how to leverage AI for good in the child safety space.