ParentsRISE
- Founded
- 2025-01-01 in United States
ParentsRISE is a national grassroots movement founded in 2025 by parents who lost children to the preventable harms of social media and AI. Based in the United States and operating virtually across multiple states, the organization transforms grief into action by uniting survivor families, training them as powerful advocates, and mobilizing them to demand systemic reform of technology platforms. Its core mission is threefold: to organize and empower impacted parents with storytelling and advocacy tools; to confront industry narratives and hold corporations legally accountable; and to champion “safe by design” digital innovation that prioritizes children’s well‑being over profit. The group has been deeply involved in federal legislative efforts such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the KIDS Act, testifying before Congress and leading rapid‑response campaigns against industry‑backed bills. With a small team of 2–10 employees and support from an advisory council of survivor parents, advocacy groups, and whistleblowers, ParentsRISE is building a coordinated national force to shift policy, corporate behavior, and public consciousness.
Detailed Review
History & Founding
ParentsRISE was formally established in 2025, though the founding families had been fighting for reform for over three years prior. The organization emerged from the tragic reality that Big Tech’s design choices—algorithmic feeds, infinite scroll, and addictive features—have directly led to youth suicides, depression, and sexual exploitation, while Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields companies from accountability. The founders are survivor parents who lost children to online harms, and they operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization with a virtual presence across states including New York, Oregon, and California.
Advocacy & Legislative Work
ParentsRISE has been a prominent voice in the debate over the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the KIDS Act. In June 2026, the organization published an open letter to House leadership strongly opposing the KIDS Act, arguing it “eliminates the duty of care,” exempts harms like eating disorders and suicidal behavior, and leaves children unprotected in games and messaging apps. The group also lobbies for a “safe by design” mandate, testifies in congressional hearings, and organizes rapid‑response campaigns against industry‑backed bills.
Training & Empowerment Model
The organization’s model centers on “organize, empower, unleash.” Survivor parents are trained to tell their stories effectively, advocate in statehouses and on Capitol Hill, and respond quickly to industry narratives and legislative opportunities. ParentsRISE also maintains a Survivor Parent Network, connecting newly bereaved families with experienced advocates for peer support and guidance.
Advisory Council & Partners
ParentsRISE’s advisory council includes the Social Media Victims Law Center, HEAT Initiative, Parents Together, #HalfTheStory (whistleblower and advocate), Trust Labs, and the Young People’s Alliance. These partners provide legal, technical, and organizing expertise.
Funding & Scale
The organization is small, with a LinkedIn‑stated company size of 2–10 employees and approximately 616 followers as of mid‑2026. It operates through grants and donations; no specific revenue or funding amounts are publicly reported.
Public Presence & Impact
ParentsRISE has been featured in national media, including NPR, and has earned recognition from lawmakers. Its Instagram and Facebook channels provide real‑time updates on legislative actions and survivor stories. The organization also observes an annual “Social Media Victims Remembrance Day” to honor children lost to online harms.
Criticism & Controversies
No independent controversies have been identified. However, the organization’s strong opposition to certain legislative compromises (e.g., the KIDS Act) has placed it in active tension with some tech‑industry allies and lawmakers who favor incremental reform.
Key Products
RISE Advocacy Training Program
Empowers survivor parents with storytelling, media, and legislative advocacy skills.
Survivor Parent Network
Peer‑support community connecting newly bereaved families with experienced advocates.
Legislative Action Campaigns
Coordinated rapid‑response efforts on federal and state bills (e.g., KOSA, KIDS Act).
Public Awareness & Media Campaigns
Op‑eds, social media, and press releases to shift public narratives on tech accountability.
Social Media Victims Remembrance Day
Annual day to honor children lost to online harms and amplify calls for reform.
Offices & Headcount
6 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Julianna Arnold
Founder & Executive Director
Recent News
US Bipartisan Bill Mandates Facial Recognition Age Checks for Sportsbooks and Prediction Markets
A new bipartisan US bill would require online sportsbooks and prediction markets to use facial recognition to estimate users' ages before bets or trades, backed by Kalshi and ParentsRISE, with co-sponsors citing data showing high rates of underage gambling and thousands of flagged underage accounts.
2026-07-16