The internet can be many things — chaotic, entertaining, overwhelming, creative, comforting, and sometimes even lifesaving. For a lot of us, especially those struggling with mental health, online spaces are where we’ve found community, understanding, or even just a place to breathe when the real world felt too heavy.
That’s why I’ve been paying close attention to some recent conversations about new efforts in Congress to “clean up” the internet, especially for younger users. At the heart of this discussion is something called the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). It’s a federal bill that aims to protect children and teens from online harm — things like bullying, eating disorder content, and other dangerous material. And those concerns are very real. The internet can absolutely worsen mental health when it’s unregulated or used in unhealthy ways.
But there’s also a very real risk in how these protections are written into law. KOSA’s language is broad, and that means platforms might respond by removing or limiting mental health content that’s actually helpful. For example, content about depression, anxiety, or gender identity — especially when shared by people with lived experience — could be flagged as “harmful,” even if it’s empowering and supportive. For many, especially LGBTQ+ youth or people without access to therapy, these posts are not dangerous — they’re a lifeline.
There’s also concern about how online platforms might handle age verification or content restrictions under KOSA. If websites are required to track who’s a minor and who isn’t, it could mean collecting more personal data, which raises privacy concerns — especially for teens who may not feel safe being fully “seen” by adults or systems. For people in toxic households, being able to explore their identity or mental health questions anonymously online isn’t just a luxury — it’s a survival tool.
None of this is to say that the internet is perfect. It absolutely needs better protections, especially when it comes to harassment, algorithm addiction, and harmful content that spreads unchecked. But the solution isn’t to silence the conversations people are having about their own healing, pain, or growth.
As a content creator and someone who cares deeply about mental health, I want the internet to be both safer and more supportive. That means finding policies that don’t just protect — but also preserve the spaces where people feel seen, heard, and understood. We need laws that can tell the difference between what’s harmful and what’s healing — because both exist online.
I hope lawmakers, tech platforms, and even fellow creators keep listening. Because while safety is important, connection and compassion matter too — and those things can’t be regulated away.
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