On March 7, 2024, Parents for Peace was honored to be represented at President Biden’s State of the Union Address, as Executive Director Myrieme Churchill attended as the guest of Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04). This invitation was a powerful acknowledgment of the critical role early intervention and family support play in preventing radicalization and targeted violence.
Congressman Auchincloss has been a strong advocate for safer online spaces for youth and recently introduced the Verifying Kids’ Online Privacy Act to increase protections for minors on social media. Recognizing the harsh realities of online radicalization, he highlighted the importance of policies that limit minors’ exposure to manipulative ideological content and strengthen parental oversight.
“The ease of access to manipulative ideological content has enabled the variety of radicalizations we see in our helpline work with families, from White Supremacy and ISIS to eco-terrorism and Antifa. The families come from a broad cross-section of American society, with children being radicalized as young as 12. Seeing the harsh realities of this every day, I urge our leaders to support policies that limit minors’ access to social media platforms and increase parental supervision over their online activities,” said Myrieme Churchill, Executive Director of Parents for Peace, in Congressman Auchincloss’s press release.
Addressing Online Radicalization
Parents for Peace has long emphasized that extremism is a public health issue, requiring early intervention, education, and robust support systems rather than solely punitive measures. The State of the Union invitation followed Myrieme Churchill’s participation in a high-level roundtable discussion on social media’s impact on youth mental health—a growing area of concern, given the role digital platforms play in recruitment and radicalization.
Congressman Auchincloss has taken legislative steps to hold social media companies accountable for their role in exposing young people to harmful content. His proposed bill would:
- Raise the online protection age from 13 to 16.
- Require social media companies to implement age verification measures while protecting user privacy.
- Establish a Children’s Online Safety Fund to support digital literacy programs.
A Growing National Conversation
The inclusion of Parents for Peace at the State of the Union underscores the growing recognition that extremism prevention requires a whole-of-society approach. By addressing the root causes of radicalization and advocating for stronger protections for vulnerable youth, Parents for Peace continues to be a leading voice in shaping policy and intervention strategies.
As extremism and targeted violence continue to threaten communities across the country, our work remains as vital as ever—ensuring that families and communities have the tools and support needed to intervene before it’s too late.
