On Tuesday, President Biden gave his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, using his speech to highlight tech issues including digital privacy,  restrictions for minors on social media, and tech antitrust legislation.

“Consumer privacy legislation has been at the top of voters’ tech wish list for years, so it’s great to see the President’s endorsement,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich. “And the Administration’s investments in broadband and semiconductor jobs exemplify its strategy to spread tech benefits to more places.”

Commenting on the President’s remarks about social media and banning vertically integrated tech products, Kovacevich added, “Any balanced look at social media would both encourage age-appropriate design and recognize the positive connections it enables teens to make. And no voters are marching on Washington demanding that Congress break Amazon Prime or Google Maps.”

A recent Pew study found that majorities of teens say social media provides them with a space for connection, creativity and support. The study surveyed teens between the ages of 13 to 17. According to this study, when asked about the overall impact of social media on them personally, more teens said its effect has been mostly positive (32%) than say it has been mostly negative (9%). 

###

Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future. We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly. 

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.