As the founder of the Kevin for Kids Toy Drive, I appreciated the concerns Diane Nahabedian raised in her recent piece on the data privacy debate (“New data privacy laws will have unintended consequences that hurt mom-and-pops and nonprofits,” April 27). Nonprofits know how essential digital tools are for reaching donors, maintaining relationships and stretching limited resources. I share her concern that overly broad privacy measures could make those tools harder to use.
But another set of proposals under consideration on Beacon Hill raises new concerns. Recent efforts by the House and the governor to create online protections for our state’s youth risk serious unintended consequences, including making resources less accessible for vulnerable communities.
No matter how well-intentioned, these proposals could block platform access for certain age groups or require age- and parent-check systems as prerequisites for using them or accessing core features. Those access restrictions are of particular concern for nonprofits.
For many of the communities that nonprofit organizations serve, including LGBTQ+ youth, underserved families, immigrants and refugees, these spaces are more than social outlets. They are places to find community, information and support when in-person options may be limited.
That is why lawmakers should proceed carefully. Protecting kids online is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of young people who lack identifying documents, affirming parental support or a safe home environment. We should explore other paths forward that protect kids, are legally sound and don’t risk cutting vulnerable communities off from the resources they rely on.
William Norton is an advocate and nonprofit founder.
Feature image is by Billy Wilson via Flickr.
About The Author
