New California Law Sparks Debate Over Student Safety and Online Risks
The recent enactment of a California law aimed at supporting LGBT-identified youth has sparked a mix of support and concern. While designed to offer essential crisis resources to students, critics warn it might inadvertently expose young people to online dangers.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 727 on October 10, coinciding with World Mental Health Day. The law mandates the inclusion of contact details for The Trevor Project on student ID cards in public middle schools, high schools, and colleges. While the initiative intends to provide mental health resources, concerns have been raised about the associated online platform, TrevorSpace.
As a development from a 2018 suicide prevention law, AB 727 was authored by Assemblymember Mark González, D-Los Angeles, to address alarming mental health statistics. The Trevor Project reports that 35% of gay, lesbian, and transgender youth in California have seriously considered suicide in the past year, with half unable to access mental health care. The legislation aims to bridge this gap by ensuring immediate access to crisis support.
Governor Newsom emphasized the state’s commitment, stating, “Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen for who they are. While some in Washington turn their backs on [LGBT-identified] youth, California is choosing compassion over cruelty.”
Assemblymember González described the measure as a “lifeline for our queer youth,” highlighting California’s proactive stance compared to federal actions. “With the signing of AB 727, we’re sending a clear message: our [LGBT-identified] youth are seen, valued, and never alone,” he asserted.
The Trevor Project, recognized by lawmakers as a leading nonprofit for suicide prevention among LGBT-identified youth, has faced criticism for its educational content in public schools. Critics have highlighted activities such as the “Coming Out Stars” exercise in San Diego’s Vista Unified School District, which they claim promotes an LGBT agenda.
Concerns are particularly acute regarding TrevorSpace, a social platform described as “a welcoming online social community for [LGBT-identified] young people between the ages of 13-24 years old.” With over 400,000 global members, critics including the California Family Council (CFC) argue the site lacks adequate age verification and moderation, potentially exposing minors to exploitation.
Brenda Lebsack, a trustee from the Santa Ana Unified School District, expressed serious concerns about TrevorSpace after joining as a 13-year-old and accessing various groups without verification. She warned in an article that the platform could be dangerously exposing minors to adult interactions.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco echoed these concerns in a letter to the California Senate Education Committee, noting an experiment by a department member who accessed TrevorSpace posing as a young teen. Bianco wrote that AB 727 might inadvertently enable unvetted digital access to minors.
The Christian Post attempted to contact The Trevor Project for comments on these issues.
Greg Burt, Vice President of CFC, called for urgent action, describing the situation as a dire warning. “True compassion never exposes children to harm. These young people don’t need adults to affirm their confusion. They need adults who will protect them,” Burt stated.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
