Madison – Today, Rep. Joy Goeben (R-Hobart) shared the following statement about her package of bills protecting kids online:
“This legislation addresses a growing crisis facing families across Wisconsin: children navigating a digital world that too often exposes them to predatory behavior, explicit material, addictive design, and dangerous strangers, all without meaningful parental oversight. “The three bills (AB 961, AB 962, and AB 963) work together to restore parental authority, increase transparency, and require accountability from large tech platforms and digital content distributors.
“We cannot ignore what is happening to our kids. Children are developing serious mental health challenges linked to social media pressure, algorithm-driven content, and constant digital exposure. Young people are being targeted by predators. Some are being trafficked. Some are dying. And too often, parents feel powerless to intervene. “Parents are still morally and financially responsible for their children. They are still legally responsible for their children. But in the digital world, they are often shut out. That imbalance has to end.
“These companies are not neutral bystanders. Many digital platforms are designed to capture attention, exploit vulnerability, and keep children engaged for as long as possible. Predators know exactly where to find isolated, anxious, or struggling teens. They groom them in chat rooms, direct messages, and gaming platforms. The consequences are not theoretical; they are devastating and real.
“This is not about politics. It is about whether we are willing to stand up for vulnerable children who cannot protect themselves. Today, the Assembly made it clear that in Wisconsin, children’s safety comes first,” shared Rep. Goeben.
The bills passed the Assembly with bipartisan support.
