The Real Threat to Kids Online Isn’t TikTok – It’s Senator Cruz and Corporate Greed
While lawmakers like Ted Cruz stage dramatic hearings about the dangers of social media, a far more insidious threat is quietly eroding opportunities for America’s youth: the deliberate blocking of affordable internet access. Last week’s “Plugged Out” hearing, ostensibly focused on the impact of technology on young people, served as a convenient smokescreen for a politician actively working to widen the digital divide – and protect the profits of telecom giants.
The KOSMA Bill: A Distraction from Real Problems
The core of the recent Senate hearing revolved around proposed legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSMA), framed as a necessary step to shield children from online harms. However, as critics have repeatedly pointed out, these bills are often unconstitutional and likely to create more problems than they solve. The focus on a tenuous link between social media and mental health conveniently deflects attention from the systemic issues – like a lack of affordable mental healthcare and broadband access – that genuinely impact young people’s well-being.
Cruz’s Hypocrisy: From Blocking Wi-Fi to “Protecting” Children
Senator Cruz’s involvement is particularly galling. Last year, he spearheaded efforts to dismantle FCC reforms designed to expand internet access for students. Specifically, he used the Congressional Review Act to kill modifications to the E-Rate program, which would have allowed school libraries to offer free Wi-Fi hotspots. This program was a lifeline for rural and low-income students, providing crucial access to online learning resources. The reason? Companies like AT&T and Verizon didn’t want the government competing with their expensive services.
Cruz falsely claimed the program was “censoring Conservative viewpoints” and enabling unsupervised internet access. These claims, thoroughly debunked at the time, were simply a pretext to appease his corporate donors. Now, he’s leveraging this same obstructionism – framed as protecting children – to justify further legislation. During the “Plugged Out” hearing, he even boasted about hindering the Biden administration’s efforts to expand internet access, stating that the FCC sought to “bankroll kids’ unsupervised internet access and undermine parental rights.”
The E-Rate Program: A Success Story Sabotaged
The truth is, the expanded Wi-Fi hotspot program didn’t require any new taxpayer funding. It cleverly utilized existing E-Rate funds to reach the most disadvantaged students – many of whom come from families who actually voted for Donald Trump – with affordable internet access, whether at home or on school buses. This wasn’t about ideology; it was about providing equal opportunity.
The opposition wasn’t rooted in genuine concern for children’s safety. It was a blatant attempt by AT&T and Verizon to protect their market share and prevent the government from offering a viable alternative to their often-spotty and overpriced broadband services. As Brookings Institute research demonstrates, the digital divide disproportionately affects rural and low-income communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.
The Pattern of Deception: “Protecting Children” as a Political Tool
This pattern of using “protect the children” rhetoric to mask corporate interests is disturbingly common in Washington. It’s a tactic that allows politicians like Cruz to deflect criticism and push policies that benefit their donors while appearing to act in the public good. The lack of serious scrutiny from the U.S. press, often hampered by media consolidation and ownership limits, further enables this deception.
Cruz’s support for KOSMA isn’t about reining in Big Tech or protecting kids. It’s about gaining leverage over media companies, potentially forcing them to cater to authoritarian viewpoints and propaganda. This strategy has proven remarkably successful, and it’s a worrying sign for the future of free speech and open discourse.
Looking Ahead: The Fight for Digital Equity
The events surrounding the “Plugged Out” hearing and Senator Cruz’s actions highlight a critical truth: the biggest threat to children online isn’t necessarily the platforms they use, but the systemic inequalities that limit their access to opportunity. The fight for digital equity – ensuring that all students have affordable, reliable internet access – is a fight for a more just and equitable future. We need to demand transparency from our elected officials, challenge their misleading narratives, and hold them accountable for prioritizing the needs of their constituents over the profits of powerful corporations. What steps can we take to ensure that all children have access to the resources they need to thrive in the digital age? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
