We, the undersigned, call on lawmakers, law enforcement, and technology companies to address critical issues affecting the safety and security of minors online. Specifically, we request the following actions:

1:  Shorten Google’s Response Window for Harassment Cases:
Currently, Google allows up to 90 days for responses to harassment cases. In instances involving minors, this delay can be damaging, as devices and accounts may change, preventing proper investigation and response. We urge Google to shorten this response time, ensuring more effective action is taken to protect users in a timely manner.

2: Codify Child Exploitation as a Felony:
Currently, certain forms of online child exploitation, including cases involving explicit images, are treated as harassment under misdemeanor charges. This classification fails to recognize the severity of the issue and does not allow law enforcement to pursue the case with the urgency it demands. We enjoin that this issue be codified as a felony under law so that authorities can intervene more effectively, including allowing state police to take a more active role in investigations.

3:  Provide Funding and Legal Support for Cybersecurity in Schools:

Schools are tasked with ensuring the safety of students both offline and online, but many face significant barriers due to outdated and insufficient technology. Our school currently lacks the necessary resources to track malicious emails or cyber threats, a situation compounded by the growing demands of new cybersecurity regulations. Specifically, we need the legal ability to track, block, and report suspicious or harmful emails to our servers to better ensure the safety of minors.

While we are in the process of upgrading our (Woodlawn School District) equipment with grant funding, we do not currently have the legal ability to trace unfriendly emails sent to our server. We ask for more funding and the legal means to properly protect students from digital threats, especially given that many students are required to use email as part of their education.

4:  Enforce the LEARNS Act and Provide Full Funding for Compliance:
While the LEARNS Act mandates that schools meet certain cybersecurity requirements, it remains an unfunded or partially funded mandate. We urge lawmakers to fully fund these requirements so schools can implement the necessary measures to protect minors in the digital space, and ensure that there is proper oversight and enforcement to achieve these goals.

By addressing these critical issues, we can make meaningful progress in protecting children from online exploitation, improving cybersecurity for educational institutions, and holding technology companies and criminals accountable for their actions. We urge lawmakers, law enforcement, and tech companies to take immediate action on these matters to safeguard the next generation.

Sign this petition to support a safer, more secure future for all students, and to hold those responsible for protecting our children accountable.