In 2019, Joann Bogard’s 15-year-old son, Mason, tragically lost his life while attempting a viral social media trend called the “choking challenge.” Mason, a typical teenager with a love for fishing and a good group of friends, went to take a shower one evening but was later found by his family with a belt around his neck, not breathing and with no heartbeat. Despite his father’s heroic efforts as a firefighter to perform CPR, Mason never woke up and was eventually pronounced clinically brain dead. The family made the difficult decision to donate Mason’s organs and his story soon spread, prompting other families to seek information on how to protect their children from the dangers of social media.
Raising awareness about the harmful effects of social media, Joann began researching how platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok use algorithms to addict young users and expose them to dangerous trends. She realized that while there are safeguards in place to protect children from adult content, there is a lack of substantial protections against harmful and addictive online content. Joann has been advocating for a federal bill, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which aims to hold social media platforms accountable for the design of their products and provide robust safety features for minors, such as automatically turning on strong safety settings and offering the option to opt out of algorithms.
With the passing of KOSA in the U.S. Senate and bipartisan support, there is hope that lawmakers and citizens are recognizing the urgent need for change in addressing the dangers presented by Big Tech. Joann stresses the importance of parents being aware of the addictive nature of social media platforms and the potential harm they can pose to children. Additionally, she mentions the passing of a law in Indiana in Mason’s honor, which gives schools the tools to educate students on internet safety. Beyond legislation, Joann believes there needs to be a fundamental change in the tech industry to rebuild social media apps from the ground up and create a healthier digital landscape.
The project People’s Bid for TikTok, led by Project Liberty and founder Frank McCourt, offers a solution to create a safer and healthier alternative to existing social media platforms. This initiative aims to give people ownership of their data and empower individuals to take control of their digital experience, rather than being driven by profit-driven stakeholders in Big Tech companies. Joann urges parents to learn more about the People’s Bid for TikTok and have discussions with their children and other parents about the pervasive harms of social media. By advocating for a reimagined online world, Joann hopes to honor Mason’s memory and prevent other families from experiencing the same tragic loss that her family has endured.
In the face of unimaginable grief, Joann continues to share Mason’s story to raise awareness and protect children from the dangers of social media. She emphasizes the need for parents to unite in demanding higher standards in the digital world and ensuring that the next generation receives a safer online environment. While nothing can bring Mason back, Joann’s advocacy and efforts to create change in the digital landscape are driven by a desire to save other children from the same fate and honor her son’s memory. By standing together as parents and advocating for a better online world, Joann believes that the next generation can be protected and empowered in their digital experiences.
