On March 3, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, and U.S. Representative Maria Salazar hosted a roundtable discussion on online protection for children at Capitol Hill. The event gathered Members of Congress, survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), and online safety advocates to discuss the Take It Down Act, a bipartisan bill designed to empower victims to have harmful images removed from the internet quickly. In her opening remarks, the First Lady expressed her commitment to making the internet a safer space for young Americans, particularly highlighting the challenges posed by harmful online content.
During her speech, Mrs. Trump emphasized the emotional and psychological toll that harmful online content can have on young people, especially girls. She urged the House of Representatives to swiftly pass the Take It Down Act, which had already received Senate approval. Senator Cruz and online safety advocates echoed her sentiments, stressing the importance of legislative action to ensure that victims receive the necessary support to remove damaging images from the internet.
The discussion highlighted the urgent need for federal legislation that prioritizes the well-being of children in the digital age. Advocates, including Francesca Mani and Elliston Berry, shared personal stories to illustrate the bill’s significance and its potential impact on victims’ lives. The Take It Down Act aims to provide tangible protection by allowing victims to remove harmful images within a specific timeframe, thereby enhancing online safety for all young users.
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