KiDS S.H.I.E.L.D. Pledge

Sign the Pledge Below:

Protecting children in the digital age requires more than statements of concern. It requires independence, transparency, and the courage to refuse financial influence from the companies whose products are harming kids.

For too long, the largest social media and AI companies have shaped the national conversation through funding, partnerships, and sponsorships that blur the line between collaboration and control. These same companies have opposed meaningful reforms, fought efforts like the Kids Online Safety Act, concealed evidence of harm, and worked to limit the ability of states to regulate AI systems that interact with children.

We believe advocacy organizations, youth-serving nonprofits, and public-interest groups must stand on clear and unambiguous moral ground. Our first obligation is to children and families, not to the companies seeking to shape policy outcomes with their funding.

By signing this pledge, we commit to the following:

S — Safeguarding

Commitment to Child Safety Above All Else

We affirm that the safety, mental health, privacy, and well-being of children outweigh any potential benefit of financial partnerships with companies that continue to fight regulations, ignore evidence of harm, or deploy AI technologies without guardrails that protect minors.

H — Honor

Independence in Advocacy

We will not allow financial relationships to shape, soften, or alter our public policy positions. Our work on behalf of children cannot be influenced by companies seeking to avoid regulation or accountability for the harms caused by their products or platforms.

I — Independence

Refusal of Compromising Funding

We will refuse future financial support from social media or AI companies when that support compromises our mission, creates a conflict of interest, or could reasonably be viewed as giving political cover to companies working to block reforms intended to protect kids. We will uphold this standard even when the funding is significant or offered indirectly.

E — Ethics

Transparency of Amounts and Purpose

We will disclose how much Big Tech funding we currently receive, if any, and we commit to public transparency about any future offers or support from social media or AI companies. If our organization has ever provided testimony, public comment, research, or advocacy aligned with a position supported by tech funding, we will disclose that relationship going forward.

L — Leadership

Annual Reporting and Public Accountability

We will update our disclosures annually so the public, policymakers, and families know exactly where we stand and who funds our work.

D — Disclosure

Clear and Honest Transparency About Current and Future Tech Funding

We commit to transparency about whether our organization currently receives funding, sponsorships, or in-kind support from social media or AI companies, and to disclosing any such funding we might receive in the future.

We further commit that any future offers of funding from these companies will be evaluated publicly, transparently, and with child safety as the first priority.