Joann’s advocacy didn’t stop there. She took her fight to Washington, D.C., where she spoke to lawmakers before the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act in July 2024. This bill, which aims to enhance protections for children online, is now awaiting approval from the House of Representatives.
A New Vision for the Internet
Joann is also a vocal supporter of Project Liberty, an initiative led by billionaire Frank McCourt, which seeks to “reinvent the Internet with more privacy protections.” The goal of Project Liberty is to create a safer online environment where parents have greater control over what their children can access. “It would be a new internet, where people decide the safety features they want,” Joann explained. “You could say, ‘My kid can’t see this’ — and nobody could see your kid online.”
Reflecting on the potential of such an internet, Joann shared, “If this type of control would have been available five years ago, I have no doubt my son would still be here.”
A Continuing Mission
Joann Bogard’s journey from grieving mother to online safety advocate is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting children in the digital age. Her efforts, from pushing for legislation to supporting innovative internet reforms, are driven by a simple yet profound goal: to ensure no other parent has to endure the loss she has suffered. Through her work, Joann is making a lasting impact, helping to create a safer, more secure online world for future generations.