LaQuanta Hernandez, a Texas mother, is fighting for change. She’s pushing Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). Her mission stems from her daughter’s painful experience with cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying Trauma: A Mother’s Fight for Online Safety
Hernandez’s daughter, Jazmine, faced severe cyberbullying at 13. Boys from her middle school posted racist photos of her on Instagram and TikTok. These posts deeply affected Jazmine, leading to therapy.
“I’m thankful my daughter didn’t commit suicide,” Hernandez shared. She emphasized the crucial role of family support and counseling in Jazmine’s recovery.
From Personal Pain to National Advocacy
The cyberbullying started with a TikTok post. A photo of Jazmine with her volleyball team was captioned, “The only Black b***h in school.” Despite efforts to remove it, more racist images appeared on Instagram.
Hernandez described the horrifying content. “It was her face superimposed on someone burning on a cross,” she revealed. The images included KKK references and racial slurs.
Parental Safeguards vs. Pervasive Online Threats
Hernandez and her husband took precautions. They didn’t allow Jazmine on social media. Yet, these measures weren’t enough to protect their daughter.
Now 16, Jazmine’s experience drives her mother’s advocacy. Hernandez travels to Washington, D.C., with Parents Together to lobby for KOSA.
Kids Online Safety Act: A Bipartisan Hope
The Senate passed KOSA in July with bipartisan support. It’s now in the House. President Biden has pledged to sign it if passed.
KOSA would require online platforms to prevent harm to children. It would provide safeguards for minors and tools for parental supervision.
A Mother’s Hope for Change
“If you can imagine a 13-year-old girl having to go through that, it was traumatic,” Hernandez says. She remains hopeful, expecting change to happen.
Hernandez stresses the urgency of action. “The failure to act has real human consequences,” she warns. Her fight continues, aiming to protect all children online.
