Congress should close the digital divide, not widen it to the detriment of kids with intersectional identities. But that’s exactly what will happen if the Kids Online Safety Act becomes law. The digital support systems relied on by marginalized youths — particularly those at the intersections of race, gender identity, and sexuality — are poised to become a thing of the past. For LGBTQ youth, social media is for more than just scrolling through videos and sharing memes. It’s a critical lifeline — a place to connect, learn, and grow in ways that may not be available in their offline lives. A staggering 90% of transgender youth say online communities have helped them understand their identities, according to research from LGBT Tech. Across all LGBTQ demographics, 74% confirm that digital spaces have been instrumental in their personal development. Social media provides a sanctuary for those who find themselves isolated and misunderstood at home or school. Black queer and trans youth need access to supportive networks more than ever. Nearly a third (32%) of Black cisgender LGBTQ young people reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year, the Trevor Project finds. This figure rises to more than half (51%) among Black transgender, nonbinary, or questioning youth. Ahead of a vote in the House, Democrats need to acknowledge the threat that KOSA poses to LGBTQ youth, especially those of color. The Heritage Foundation — author of the right-wing Project 2025 playbook — is already celebrating the potential for KOSA to suppress LGBTQ voices and content. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the leading Republican backing this bill, has come out saying she wants to see KOSA used to keep young people away “from the transgender.” The Federal Trade Commission would be tasked with enforcing the bill, opening the possibility that the agency would act according to a political party platform rather than in the best interest of the public, especially Black and queer youth. Imagine this bill in the hands of an extremist, Trump-appointed FTC chair. The wellbeing of our most marginalized youth will become a political pawn. For radical Republicans, KOSA is part of a broader interest in censorship and the erasure of queer identities from public life. Across the country, freedom of expression and the flow of information are being stifled by right-wing politicians. Books are being banned, drag events are being protested and canceled, and sexual education is increasingly restricted. KOSA would allow a politically aligned FTC to bully platforms into suppressing controversial content by threatening lawsuits and fines, leading to widespread information censorship for both adults and young people. Academic research released in cooperation with the Center for Information Technology Policy at Princeton University, the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life at UNC Chapel Hill, and the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University shows that mental health and well-being are influenced by a myriad of social and contextual factors. Pinning the blame solely on technology simplifies a complex issue to an unhelpful degree. The real challenges young people face require nuanced, culturally specific actions, not broad legislative strokes like those proposed in KOSA. The debate over whether smartphones and social media are detrimental distracts from the more significant issues at hand. What our youth need are tailored support systems and interventions that recognize and address their unique circumstances. A one-size-fits-all bill like KOSA undermines these efforts and threatens to sever the digital connections that have proven so valuable for so many. Protecting children online is crucial, but not at the expense of the most marginalized among us. Congress should reject KOSA and instead focus on real solutions that empower all young people with the resources and support they need. As the House of Representatives prepares to vote, it is crucial for Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with other high-profile New York Democrats, including Reps. Ritchie Torres and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to call on their colleagues to reject this dangerous proposal. The choice before Congress is clear: support our LGBTQ youth or push them further into the margins. Let’s protect and empower our youth, not enable those who seek to silence them. Our children, especially those with intersecting identities, deserve a future where they are supported, respected, and can live authentically. Neely is co-founder, president and CEO of Harlem Pride, and president and CEO of Harlem SGL-LGBTQ Center. She also serves as co-chair of the NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch’s LGBTQ Committee and vice chair of the Center for Black Equity.