Islam Dogru
04 March 2025•Update: 04 March 2025
NEW YORK
US first lady Melania Trump called Monday for greater efforts to protect young people from harmful online content, expressing support for a Congressional bill that would make posting intimate images online without consent a federal crime.
Speaking at a roundtable with lawmakers and advocates, Trump emphasized that inappropriate online behavior affects all segments of society.
"I'm here with you today with a common goal to protect our youth from online harm. The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families and communities," she said.
She warned that privacy violations in the digital space, especially with artificial intelligence (AI), have reached alarming levels.
"I urge Congress to prioritize the passage of the Take It Down Act. This legislation is essential for addressing the growing concerns related to online safety, protecting individual rights and promoting a healthier digital environment," she said.
“By advocating this bill, Congress can take an important step towards ensuring accountability and fostering responsibly online behavior. The Take It Down Act represents our first step towards justice, healing and unity,” she added.
She expressed disappointment over the absence of more Democratic lawmakers at the discussion, stressing that protecting children should take precedence over partisan politics.
The Take It Down Act, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, passed in the Senate in February and is expected to reach the House of Representatives soon.
The bill seeks to ban the online distribution of AI-generated deepfakes and mandates their removal from social media within 48 hours of a victim's notice.
