More Than 20,000 Parents Nationwide Call For Consistent Youth Safeguards Online

Parents in All 50 States Call for All Social Media Platforms To Adopt Safeguards Implemented as a Result of Agreement Between the States and Meta

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition to Empower our Future (CEF), a growing partnership focused on understanding the complexity of factors and solutions surrounding youth mental health and wellbeing, today announced that 20,088 parents have signed a petition calling on social media platforms to establish consistent online safeguards for teens. With signers representing parents across all 50 states, the petition reflects a growing national consensus on the importance of protecting teens online as part of a comprehensive approach to youth mental health.

The milestone follows a landmark agreement between the states and Meta, which represents a meaningful step toward supporting young people's wellbeing and safety online. CEF is amplifying parents' voices as they call on other platforms where teens spend time to adopt similar safeguards and provide tools that empower parents.

"The agreement between the states and Meta was a meaningful step forward," said Glen Weiner, executive director of CEF. "Now, more than 20,000 parents from every corner of our country are asking for consistency across all the platforms where young people spend their time. In today's digital world, our teens need opportunities to learn how to use online platforms and digital tools safely and responsibly. Consistent safeguards, alongside resources that help parents guide our young people's online experiences, can help support that process."

This comes on the heels of recent research from CEF showing 81 percent of parents nationwide support the agreement from the states and Meta to implement stronger online safety measures for young people, and 84 percent support other social media platforms implementing the same protections. Addressing the challenges young people face requires a comprehensive approach that recognizes the many factors influencing their health and wellbeing. Consistent protections across platforms can help create safer online environments as part of this broader effort.

Parents can add their voices to the growing call for consistent online safety protections by signing CEF's petition HERE.

About the Coalition to Empower our Future Coalition to Empower our Future is a newly formed organization bringing together a range of voices to fully inform solutions that empower youth, parents, communities, and society. The Coalition to Empower our Future supports solutions that are inclusive of the full spectrum of factors impacting youth mental health. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo, and Dr. Caroline Carney, a board-certified psychiatrist and internist, serve on the board of directors of the Coalition to Empower our Future.

To learn more, visit empowerourfuturecoalition.com or follow Coalition to Empower our Future on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE Coalition to Empower our Future