The Digital Battle: Five Women’s Courageous Fight Against Big Tech
For decades, children have been the target of online giants.
The acutely painful knowledge that parents are not truly aware of the dark underbelly of social media. Five mothers, seized by a fierceness born out of pain, are leading a fight to hold Big Tech accountable for their role in the mental health crisis affecting children.
It’s a scene never before witnessed in the hallowed halls of the US Senate: the leaders of five giants, Facebook, Instagram (Meta), TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) sitting before a courtroom of devastated families.
Kathleen stands trembling but resolute, alongside her daughter Alexis, now aged 21. It’s a triumphant moment for the pair. Three years ago, Harris Schenk was just 13, battling an emotional abyss, vulnerable and desperate. She tried to end her life, a victim of a digital landscape that preyed on her vulnerabilities.
"It was Ninja’s fault," Kathleen said, holding back tears as she addresses the Executive Room. "It magnified her insecurities, amplifying the pressures she felt.
"Dear Big 5, you no longer scare me because I survived you. It took me time and strength to get out of this addiction. Today, I stand before you. Will I be alone? I represent millions of children worldwide you’re harming." Her words echo through the hushed room.
Flowers, flown in from all corners, rest on the steps of the Senate building. These are not mere internet
"If you think Instagram doesn’t harm young people, you shouldn’t be at the helm. Because it does."
The hurricane of parents demanding accountability has arrived. In the heart of it all are women, united by a conviction; they’re not just preaching – they’re living proof.
Like a Groundswell, the movement grew. Elisabet, a mother from a rural community, witnessed firsthand the profound effects of social media on children. She started an online group, which rapidly blossomed into a movement against the boundless access children have to the alluring but dangerous digital world.
Dr. Socheata is on the frontlines, battling not only for her own child, who was manipulated by an online predator. In a chilling confession before the senate, she lays bare the horrifying reality: "These are fronts for pedophiles."
Charity had to build a foundation, because funding, Socheata reminds the Senators, was increased. "Imagine a human trafficking ring disguised as harmless fun," she starkly states
A lawyer named Laure gets to the heart of the matter. She navigates the murky edges of social media law, filing one of the first ever lawsuits against TikTok, demanding justice for Marie, a teenager lost to the online abyss. "She shared her pain on TikTok," Laura explains
The tale resonates, not in isolation, but in unison. The mothers are holding a mirror up to Big Tech giants like never before.
Then comes the Calm Before the Storm. The documentary of the Five Moms follows the gritty reality of BuzzFeed, reporting on how Big Tech has manipulated vulnerable children. Meta’s algorithms
A bombshell dropped fueled the flames.
Like a detonation, word spreads. Socheata is amongst the parents demanding an end to the algorithmic targeting.
"I overcome," asserts Kathleen. YouTube, the video sharing giant, has concluded its innocence. "Children are being manipulated," shouts a mother. Social media allows deranged algorithms
Can Laws Save Our Children?
The battle is felt in families
Are parents’ concerns about the impact of social media on children valid, and what specific measures should be taken to address them?
## the Battle Against Big Tech: A Parent-Led Revolution
**Host:** welcome back to the show. Today we’re diving into a story that’s resonating across the nation: The Digital Battle – and the mothers leading the charge against Big Tech. Joining us is Kathleen, one of the “Five Moms” bravely exposing the dark underbelly of social media and demanding accountability for its impact on our children. Kathleen, thanks for being here.
**Kathleen:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Your story is incredibly powerful. You described your daughter, Alexis, struggling with the pressures fuelled by social media. Can you tell us more about what led you to join this fight?
**Kathleen**: It was a long and painful journey. Seeing Alexis battle such deep despair, knowing that a platform designed for connection had become a weapon against her well-being… It was heartbreaking. We realized we weren’t alone.Countless families were facing similar challenges. That’s when we knew we had to speak up, to hold these tech giants responsible for the damage they’re inflicting.
**Host:** This isn’t just about individual pain, though. It seems this movement is revealing a systemic issue. Dr. Socheata spoke before the Senate about the dangers of online predators. Laure, the lawyer, is taking on TikTok in a landmark lawsuit [[1](https://eppc.org/protecting-teens-from-big-tech/)]. What changes do you hope to see emerge as a result of this collective effort?
**kathleen:** We need transparency. These algorithms are designed to be addictive, to prey on our children’s vulnerabilities. We need regulations that protect children online, just like there are regulations in the physical world.
**Host:** You mentioned accountability. What message do you have for the leaders of these Big Tech companies?
**Kathleen:** Look at the faces of the families you’ve devastated. Listen to our stories. you have a responsibility to your users, especially the most vulnerable among them. End the manipulative algorithms, prioritize safety over profits. We won’t back down until children are truly protected.
**Host:** A powerful message indeed. Kathleen, thank you for sharing your story and for fighting for a safer digital world for our children.
