My daughter, Becca Schmill, would have celebrated her 23rd birthday this year. Becca was a kind-hearted individual whose radiant smile could light up any room. She had dreams and aspirations, but tragically, she passed away at 18 after taking fentanyl-laced substances just before starting her first year at the University of Richmond.

While fentanyl was the cause of her death, the influence of social media paved the way for the choices she made.

Like many other kids, Becca received her first smartphone in middle school. It was three years before her death when she was invited to an online chat group that connected her with a gang of 18-year-old boys, one of whom later assaulted her when she was only 15. As she attempted to recover from that trauma, she fell victim to severe cyberbullying. The shame and torment from this assault, paired with the callousness of a few peers across various social media platforms, created a void in her life that she unsuccessfully tried to fill with self-medication.

Although Becca had a supportive family and attended counseling, social media facilitated her access to illicit substances whenever she sought relief from her overwhelming pain.

Social media was not created with children’s welfare in mind

Becca’s story is unique, yet it echoes the experiences of millions of young people today. It is alarming to realize that when children face online dangers, it often stems from social media functioning exactly as it was designed to – using sophisticated algorithms to engage users. These platforms, like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, prioritize maximizing user time and profit, often exploiting those who are most vulnerable.

For kids and teens at critical stages of mental development, social media can hijack their emotional well-being. When young people encounter harm online, parents can struggle to intervene, as these apps can swiftly turn joyful lives into distressing experiences.

When I expressed my concerns to social media companies, it became evident they were uninterested in creating safe environments for children. Their focus lies solely on increasing user engagement to boost their profits.

Social media platforms, as they currently exist, do not prioritize child safety. Research by Jonathan Haidt, a respected social psychologist and best-selling author, links social media to the growing mental health crisis among America’s youth.

Rates of depression and anxiety among young people are escalating: one in three teenage girls reported seriously contemplating suicide within the past year.

Alongside mental health issues, online incidents of sextortion and drug transactions are sharply increasing. The U.S. surgeon general has rightly called for warning labels to be affixed to social media apps, but far more needs to be accomplished.

Why aren’t tech companies doing more to protect children?

Big Tech firms prioritize profit over safety, despite their internal studies indicating their platform designs harm children. This is why legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act, which mandates tech companies to focus on kids’ safety and establish robust default settings, is essential. This legislation marks a vital initial step.

In addition to new laws, we require a reimagined digital environment where social media and the internet work to empower rather than harm users. A fresh approach is necessary to enhance digital interactions for all, especially for children.

Currently, over 170 million Americans engage with TikTok, with a considerable percentage of users under 15 years old.

Behind YouTube, TikTok is the second most favored platform among young individuals. Recently, Congress passed legislation compelling the Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either sell TikTok’s U.S. operations within a year or face a ban. The decisions made in this context will be significant for every parent and child across the nation.

We have the chance to formulate a new vision for our digital landscape. That’s why I support Project Liberty’s “People’s Bid for TikTok” – and I believe more parents should get involved.

The reality is, TikTok is widely utilized by children, and many of the same issues found on other apps—like cyberbullying, addiction, and harmful algorithms—exist on this platform as well. Through Project Liberty, spearheaded by founder Frank McCourt, TikTok would be redesigned without its manipulative algorithms, tackling many of the core issues stemming from social media.

It’s our turn to shape our digital future

Project Liberty’s initiative would also provide users with control over their personal data. The platform would be crafted to ensure a safer, healthier online space. Finally, it would empower individuals—who are often referred to as “users”—to have a say in our digital future. The People’s bid for TikTok could pave the way for a digital environment where users have more control.

To truly improve the digital realm, we must develop alternatives to the current systems in place. However, I worry that the opportunity to make these changes is diminishing.

If you’re a worried parent about your child’s interaction with social media, it’s crucial to begin having candid discussions with yourself and other parents. Engage in these conversations during school pick-up, PTA meetings, on the sidelines of soccer matches, or around the dinner table.

As the new school year begins and you think about how to keep your child safe, consider asking: “Are they secure online?” and “Is their use of social media constructive?” Maintain an open dialogue with your child, encouraging them to share what they encounter on social media. Additionally, discuss how the “People’s Bid” could improve TikTok’s safety and healthiness for children.

If the design of the internet and social media had prioritized safety, my daughter might still be alive. Every moment, I think of Becca, and I want to spare any other family from enduring what we have faced. As a parent and a citizen, I am determined to reclaim control over our digital space. I invite all parents to stand with me in this mission.

Deb Schmill is the founder and president of the Becca Schmill Foundation.