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Check out the latest developments in youth advocacy and YPA's work to restore the American Dream.

Media inquiries? press@youngpeoplesalliance.org

Showing 20 of 45 results

Axios
Media Coverage|May 11, 2026|Axios

Axios: YPA Members Share Gen-Z Perspective on Today's Challenging Job Market

Sam Hiner and YPA member Amelia Sexton, a UNC Chapel Hill sophomore, are quoted on the generational optimism gap in the American job market and what young people are doing to navigate career challenges in the age of AI.

Press Release|April 30, 2026|YPA Press Release

YPA Gives Statement on Bipartisan GUARD Act Introduced in the House

Sam Hiner, Executive Director of the Young People's Alliance, was quoted in the congressional press release announcing the bipartisan introduction of the GUARD Act by Reps. Foushee (D-NC) and Moore (R-UT), which bans AI companion chatbots for minors.

Raleigh News & Observer
Media Coverage|April 10, 2026|Raleigh News & Observer

YPA Lobby Day at NC General Assembly on Social Media Privacy

Students from Young People's Alliance spoke with NC lawmakers about social media privacy bills and affordable housing as part of the Declaration for a New American Dream campaign.

NC Newsline
Podcasts|April 6, 2026|NC Newsline

Sam Hiner on Holding Big Social Media Corporations Accountable

Sam Hiner discusses recent court rulings in California and New Mexico holding corporations liable for damages to children, as well as other challenges facing young people in the modern world.

Press Release|March 26, 2026|YPA Press Release

YPA On Washington's Frontier AI Bill HB 2225

The Young People's Alliance applauds the Washington State Legislature for passing HB 2225, a bill that addresses manipulative, human-like AI companion chatbots.

Press Release|March 25, 2026|YPA Press Release

Statement from the Young People's Alliance on the K.G.M. v. Meta & YouTube Verdict

YPA responds to the jury verdict holding Meta and YouTube accountable for designing platforms that manipulate young users.

Press Release|March 19, 2026|YPA Press Release

New Report Reveals Gen Z's Complicated Relationship with AI: Embrace It for Tasks, Reject It for Human Connection

YPA released 'The Need for a New American Dream' based on listening sessions with ~210 students across 22 campuses, finding young Americans draw clear lines around where AI does and does not belong.

YouTube
Podcasts|March 17, 2026|YouTube

Sam Hiner on AI & Youth Advocacy

YPA Executive Director Sam Hiner discusses how AI companion apps are affecting young people and what policymakers can do to protect them.

Press Release|March 12, 2026|YPA Press Release

Young People's Alliance Applauds Court Decision Allowing California Age-Appropriate Design Code to Move Forward

YPA commends the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision allowing most provisions of California's Age-Appropriate Design Code to take effect after years of legal challenges fueled by tech industry groups.

The Free Press
Media Coverage|February 19, 2026|The Free Press

YPA on Zuckerberg Testifying in Landmark Social Media Case

Young People's Alliance weighs in on Mark Zuckerberg's testimony in the landmark social media case examining the impact of platforms on young users.

The Globe and Mail
Podcasts|February 11, 2026|The Globe and Mail

Machines Like Us

YPA featured on The Globe and Mail's Machines Like Us podcast exploring the intersection of AI, youth advocacy, and the fight to protect young people from harmful technology.

Sustainable Media
Podcasts|February 2026|Sustainable Media

Gen Z Power and Building What Comes Next

Ava Smithing joins Sustainable Media to discuss Gen Z political power, youth advocacy, and building the future of responsible technology.

MLex / FTCWatch
Media Coverage|January 13, 2026|MLex / FTCWatch

YPA pushes against 'unchecked power' online

Ava Smithing, Advocacy Director for Young People's Alliance, discusses pushing against unchecked power online and her advocacy work protecting young people.

Fox 40 / GlobeNewswire
Media Coverage|December 9, 2025|Fox 40 / GlobeNewswire

YPA Participates in AI Preemption Protest with Heat Initiative, Bereaved Parents and Partners

Bereaved parents, advocates, and Heat Initiative stage DC protest against AI preemption amid defense bill negotiations.

WUNC Due South
Podcasts|December 3, 2025|WUNC Due South

Kids and Phones: A Call for Social Media Regulations

Ava Smithing joins WUNC's Due South to discuss kids, phones, and social media regulation.

Axios
Media Coverage|November 21, 2025|Axios

Axios: YPA releases Human-like AI Policy Framework alongside coalition

Youth and family advocacy groups call for restrictions on AI chatbots designed to form emotional relationships with users.

Press Release|November 21, 2025|YPA Press Release

Coalition Unveils Model Policy Framework to Protect Children from AI Companions

Young People's Alliance, Public Citizen, Jonathan Haidt, and coalition partners release comprehensive policy framework to address emotionally manipulative AI companion apps.

Institute for Family Studies
Op-Eds|November 17, 2025|Institute for Family Studies

AI protections for minors will help us beat China

Sam Hiner argues that protecting young Americans from harmful AI is both a moral imperative and strategic necessity.

Carolina Journal
Op-Eds|November 4, 2025|Carolina Journal

How housing policy is failing NC's young people

Mick Tobin and Iha Pemmaraju examine how current housing policies are leaving young North Carolinians behind and what can be done to fix it.

TIME
Media Coverage|October 28, 2025|TIME

TIME: YPA organizes coalition statement on GUARD Act

Youth advocacy groups organize coalition statement supporting bipartisan legislation to protect minors from AI chatbots.

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