Miles was my youngest son. We called him “Smile” because he had a talent for making everyone around him smile. He was funny, mischievous and mischievous, full of infectious spirit and love. He constantly reminded his family, friends, coaches and teachers that his life was meant to be enjoyed.
By the cruelest twist of fate, Miles’ life was tragically cut short at the age of 19. Our intelligent, resourceful, and talented son passed away during his sophomore year at the University of Colorado at Boulder after taking fentanyl-laced painkillers purchased on social media. .
Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare. The pain is even more excruciating when you lose a child to a completely preventable event. Snapchat, which refused to cooperate with investigators, was not held accountable. It pains me to share this story, but I do so because of the insidious actions of social media companies who turn a blind eye to selling powerful drugs to everyone, especially our children. This is to protect my family.
During the 2022 legislative session, I became involved with Blue Rising and their efforts to pass the Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention Act. As part of this legislation, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser will release a first-ever report in 2023 on the deadly link between the growing influence of social media and the availability of illegal drugs, including fentanyl. did. I was shocked to learn that obtaining pills containing substances containing fentanyl is as easy as ordering a pizza or calling an Uber.
According to a Washington Post analysis, fentanyl is the No. 1 killer of 18- to 45-year-olds in the United States. And Colorado currently ranks second in the nation for teen deaths from fentanyl poisoning. In 2022, 920 people died in Colorado after taking counterfeit prescription drugs containing fentanyl. Of those, 120 were between the ages of 15 and 24, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Despite countless reports and data revealing the dangers of social media, the federal government has not taken action. That’s why we need urgent action at the state level.
Senate Bill 158, introduced by Sens. Chris Hansen (D-Denver) and Daphna Michelson Jennette (D-Reunion), and Rep. Meghan Lukens (D-Steamboat Springs), would reduce social media It requires companies to make their platforms safer for children and teens. . The bill, which unanimously passed its first hurdle in the Senate, comes as social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok are making it dangerously easy for young people to access fentanyl and other illegal drugs. , is very important.
We cannot leave it to social media companies to self-regulate. why? Because they make billions of dollars each year in advertising revenue from children under 18. that’s right. According to a Harvard University study released in December, in 2022 social media platforms generated a total of $2.1 billion from users aged 12 and under, and $8.6 billion from users aged 13 to 27.
These platforms must be forced to stop preying on children. Under Senate Bill 158, social media companies would be required to verify the age of their users. For users under 18, companies must provide an opportunity to opt out of dangerous features, along with other safety measures and warnings. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to enforce requirements under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.
If passed, the bill would require social media companies to permanently remove users who violate policies regarding illegal drugs, firearm sales that violate state or federal law, and child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. become. And importantly, the bill would create a timeline for social media companies to respond to law enforcement’s legal requests for information related to criminal investigations. Social media companies must respond within three days to acknowledge receipt of the request, and law enforcement must respond within 30 days.
Although we cannot bring Miles back, we will do everything we can to prevent more families from suffering the same loss. For the past two years, I have worked with Blue Rising to bring fentanyl awareness and education to college campuses across the state.
But we can’t do it alone. We need laws on our side to end the unfettered drug market that social media companies have allowed to thrive. It’s time to pass Senate Bill 158 to end the predatory practices of social media and protect Colorado’s youth.
Chelsea Condon Brundidge lives on the Western Slope and works in environmental media and communications.
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