Federal Action Regarding Teens and Social Media Must Empower Parents

by Jennifer Fell

As a former foster parent in Connecticut, I’ve seen firsthand how social media can be both a lifeline and a liability for young people navigating instability. In today’s digital age, while concerns about the impact of social media on children are valid, it’s also undeniable that online connections can offer critical support, especially for at-risk youth. For children in foster care, these digital ties often provide stability when everything else feels uncertain.

The Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI), a national movement advocating for change in foster care, emphasizes that “consistent, excellent parenting and meaningful relationships are the most essential services we can provide to children and youth in foster care.” This principle is especially significant for foster youth, who frequently face disruptions in their living situations, education, and communities. For them, online networks are often among the few constants in lives marked by upheaval.

When a child is forced to change schools mid-year or adapt to an unfamiliar neighborhood, maintaining friendships and connections through social media can be a vital emotional anchor. These digital spaces provide not only consistency but also a sense of belonging—an antidote to the isolation many foster youth experience. Recognizing this, Congress must prioritize federal legislation that protects these essential online relationships while also ensuring that children’s personal data isn’t exploited by social media platforms.

This challenge highlights the complexity of protecting kids online without inadvertently severing their lifelines to community and connection. Recent proposals to require extensive age verification on individual social media platforms are deeply problematic. Such measures would compel children, including those in foster care, to repeatedly submit sensitive personal information—a troubling prospect for youth who often require heightened privacy and security.

“Social media has the potential to be a source of stability rather than risk for our most vulnerable youth. It’s time for Connecticut’s congressional delegation to lead the charge.”

The solution, however, is within reach. By designating app stores as the gatekeepers for social media access for users under 16, we can create a streamlined and secure system. App stores already have safety measures in place, making them well-positioned to manage permissions without overburdening families or compromising children’s privacy. This approach would allow caregivers, including foster parents, to oversee social media access from a single, familiar platform rather than navigating multiple verification systems.

As someone who has experienced the challenges of managing safety across various digital platforms, I know how daunting it can be. Centralizing oversight through app stores would simplify this process while preserving children’s ability to maintain essential relationships.

The internet transcends state borders, and our solutions must do the same. Children in Hartford deserve the same protections as those in Houston. Only federal legislation can establish the consistent safeguards our kids need. A national framework for app store verification would strike the right balance—protecting privacy while ensuring access to the digital support systems that foster youth and other vulnerable children rely on.

Congress must act to implement this common-sense solution. By adopting uniform app store verification, we can protect young people’s privacy, uphold their access to critical online communities, and ease the burden on caregivers trying to navigate these complexities.

Social media has the potential to be a source of stability rather than risk for our most vulnerable youth. It’s time for Connecticut’s congressional delegation to lead the charge. Let’s ensure that our children’s digital connections are safeguarded—not sacrificed—by creating thoughtful policies that prioritize both safety and meaningful relationships. Together, we can make the digital world a safer, more supportive space for all children.

Jennifer Fell is a former foster parent and the Founder and President of Fostering The Community, Inc., a nonprofit working to educate residents in Connecticut about foster care and improve systems.