Statement from BPC’s Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force

Washington, DC – The following is a statement from former Governor Steve Beshear (D-KY), former Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), former Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), and former Governor John Kasich (R-OH), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force on the bipartisan debate around comprehensive data privacy. 

“BPC’s Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force is encouraged by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s efforts to develop a national privacy standard. As Congress debates solutions, privacy legislation can only be considered comprehensive if it includes protections for children’s online safety. We understand the challenges of crafting a policy that balances protecting children from online harm with First Amendment and implementation concerns.   

We are focused on evidence-based, pragmatic solutions to address the mental health and substance use crises that too many of America’s youth and families face. The task force is looking across the health care delivery system as well as at upstream interventions to improve outcomes for children and families. Safe and secure social media platforms are a key component to addressing this crisis. As efforts to establish a comprehensive data privacy framework move forward, we stand ready to work with Democrats and Republicans to ensure this legislation meets the goals of keeping online communities safe, protecting speech, and spurring innovation.”