Memphis Standard

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has released a video emphasizing the urgent need to pass the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The video features Kathy, a mother from Middle Tennessee, who shares the tragic story of her 17-year-old son, Vaughn-Thomas.

Vaughn-Thomas was described as a good student and athlete with strong faith. "He was very strong in his faith, he loved his friends, he was a good student, he was athletic, [and] he loved golf. Life was going really well for him," said Kathy.

Recalling their last interaction on December 1st, Kathy stated: "[On] December 1st, I had put up some Christmas decorations and I had gone to pick up my youngest at basketball practice. Vaughn-Thomas texted me he was hungry; he just got through working out at the gym [and he] wanted me to grab him some food. I brought that home to him and we talked a little bit and I gave him a big hug and said ‘good night I love you’ and he hugged me back and said ‘I love you more.’ That was the last time I talked to him."

The following morning, Vaughn-Thomas did not wake up to his alarm. "When Vaughn-Thomas didn't wake up to his alarm, that's when we found him. He took what he thought was a Xanax; it was a counterfeit Xanax [laced with fentanyl]. He [may have acquired] some of that via Snapchat. One mistake should not have been a death sentence for Vaughn-Thomas," explained Kathy.

The Kids Online Safety Act aims to address social media's role in exposing children to illicit drugs like fentanyl. KOSA includes provisions requiring social media companies to prevent and mitigate harms caused by their platforms' design choices, such as recommendation algorithms and addictive product features.

In July, the Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of KOSA with a 91-3 vote.