Opinion: Why I support AB 1043 to keep children safe online

As an educator, advocate and proud product of the Inglewood Unified School District, I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Growing up in this community and now serving it in both legal and educational capacities, I understand how deeply learning environments—both in-person and online—shape the lives and futures of our young people.​

That’s why I strongly support Assembly Bill 1043 (AB 1043), the Digital Age Assurance Act. This timely and thoughtful legislation addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing families, educators and policymakers today: how to keep children safe online while still ensuring access to the digital tools, platforms and support systems that help them learn, grow and feel seen.​

In Inglewood, we know that preparing students for today’s world means adapting with the times. Just as we’re modernizing our school facilities and expanding academic opportunities, we must also prepare students to safely navigate the digital spaces that are becoming essential to both education and identity development. AB 1043 supports this goal with a balanced, equity-centered approach.​

For many families in our district—especially working parents with demanding schedules or multiple jobs—keeping up with online safety tools can be overwhelming. Each platform has its own settings and interfaces, creating a confusing and often inaccessible landscape. This is especially true for families with limited time, digital fluency or English proficiency.​

AB 1043 addresses this head-on by introducing age verification at the app store level, giving parents a single, consistent point of control. Instead of having to manage settings on every individual app, families would be empowered with a streamlined and more equitable way to protect their children—regardless of their technical knowledge or native language.​

Just as importantly, the bill protects access to the kinds of digital spaces and resources that can be life-changing. In my legal advocacy for students and my experience on the front lines of education, I’ve seen how online platforms can provide mentorship, mental health resources, academic support, and inclusive spaces for students—especially those navigating issues of identity, isolation, or lack of local resources. AB 1043 gets the balance right: it protects young people without cutting off the positive potential of the internet.​

Privacy is another major concern, particularly in communities like mine where trust in digital systems is often strained. I’ve heard directly from families who are wary of unnecessary data collection, especially when it involves their children. That’s why I appreciate that AB 1043 takes a restrained and thoughtful approach to data—prioritizing child safety while minimizing the collection of personal information. It’s a responsible, rights-conscious framework for today’s data-driven world.​

Throughout my career—from shaping federal education and equity policy with former Congressman Tony Cárdenas, to mentoring future lawyers and using my legal training to advocate for public school students and families—I’ve seen how real change happens when policy is grounded in community needs and lived experience. AB 1043 is that kind of legislation. It’s smart, intentional and designed with families in mind.​

At Inglewood Unified, our mission is to build stronger schools and safer, more inclusive learning environments for every child. AB 1043 extends that mission into the digital space. I respectfully urge the Legislature to pass this bill and affirm that digital safety, equity, and opportunity are not mutually exclusive—they’re essential pillars of education in the 21st century.