Parents “Can’t Keep Up” With Technology, South Carolina Rep. Fry Warns
South Carolina Representative Russell Fry has stated that parents are increasingly concerned technology is outpacing Washington, D.C.’s laws and regulatory environment, arguing for greater family involvement in policy decisions related to teen social media use.
During a recent interview on “Ed Henry: The Big Take,” Fry emphasized his legislative proposal, the Kids Internet Safety Partnership Act. He described it as designed to place parents at the forefront of discussions about children’s online safety.
Fry added that there should be clear guardrails for both children and parents in the digital space. He warned that without proper oversight, “there are so many tragic stories out there, sextortion stories” that can lead young people to take their own lives.
The representative also noted that while European approaches have sometimes become overly restrictive, Congress must balance free speech concerns with protecting minors. Fry highlighted that parents in his congressional district express frustration that they cannot keep up with evolving technology.
“We’ve had some congressional hearings on this,” Fry said. “It’s important to what I hear from parents: they are concerned.”
Fry stressed shared responsibility among social media companies and policymakers, stating, “Social media companies have a responsibility for that. Certainly Washington, from a policymaker perspective, has a responsibility.”
The representative called for educational efforts to help parents monitor their children’s online activities and filter content. Fry described current legislative efforts as part of an “endless charade,” noting Congress has “a ton of ideas out there” but needs practical solutions.
Additionally, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently testified in court regarding claims that Instagram is designed to be addictive for young users, amid a Los Angeles County Superior Court lawsuit involving over 1,600 plaintiffs, including families and school districts.
