KIds Online Health & Safety (KOHS)
Digital technology is ubiquitous in the lives of today’s youth. Social media platforms, online communities, and mobile applications shape how young people communicate, learn, explore identity, and express themselves. In many cases, these tools provide real benefits—connection, creativity, and access to information that previous generations never had.
At the same time, a growing body of research—reinforced by the lived experiences of parents, caregivers, and young people—has revealed serious risks. Harassment, cyberbullying, child sexual exploitation and abuse, and exposure to content that exacerbates mental health conditions, including material promoting eating disorders, threaten the safety and well-being of children and adolescents nationwide.
As these concerns intensified, federal leaders recognized that protecting youth online would require coordinated, cross-government action grounded in evidence, public health expertise, and lived experience.
The Challenge
On May 23, 2023, the White House announced the formation of the Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force, an interagency body charged with advancing the health, safety, and privacy of children and youth online and identifying approaches to address the adverse health effects minors experience while using digital platforms.
The Task Force was composed of 19 members representing a cross-section of federal agencies and offices, including HHS (SAMHSA), DOC (NTIA), ED, DHS, DOJ, the Executive Office of the President, and the Federal Trade Commission. This breadth reflected the complexity of the issue itself—spanning public health, education, technology policy, consumer protection, civil rights, and law enforcement.
In addition, the Task Force faced a dual challenge: capturing the realities of youth online experiences across communities and translating that insight—along with a rapidly evolving research base—into credible, accessible, and policy-relevant federal guidance.
OUR APPROACH
A-G Associates partnered with FNS to deliver a comprehensive, research-driven workforce transformation strategy—combining organizational development, leadership training, and data analytics to strengthen culture, collaboration, and performance.
A-G designed and led a five-month series of virtual listening sessions to inform the Task Force’s work. Through facilitated discussions and interactive virtual tools, we engaged a diverse range of stakeholders—including behavioral health providers, researchers, educators, parents, and young adults—to explore online risks, benefits, and policy considerations.
Each session was transcribed and analyzed using qualitative methods, enabling A-G to identify key themes, areas of alignment, and critical differences across groups.
A-G translated qualitative findings into clear, actionable insights for federal leadership. Stakeholder-specific briefs summarized key takeaways and were shared with the Task Force to guide internal discussions and shape emerging policy priorities, including considerations for potential legislation and national strategy.
Building on the research foundation, A-G supported the drafting and refinement of the final report by integrating contributions from a 19-member interagency Task Force. The team streamlined content, ensured clarity and consistency, and aligned diverse perspectives into a cohesive, authoritative narrative.
A-G managed the end-to-end production of a 130-page White House report under an accelerated timeline. This included verifying and formatting more than 360 citations, ensuring Section 508 compliance, and delivering a polished, accessible publication. The effort required rigorous quality control, precise coordination, and close collaboration with federal leadership to meet publication standards and deadlines.
The Results
The final report—Online Health and Safety for Children and Youth: Best Practices for Families and Guidance for Industry—was published on the White House website, signaling its importance as an authoritative national resource.
The report provides a balanced, actionable framework that acknowledges both the benefits and risks of digital media while outlining concrete steps for families, industry, and government. It also establishes a durable foundation for continued federal collaboration, future research, and policy development related to youth online health and safety.
Through expert facilitation, disciplined execution, and technical rigor, A-G Associates helped a complex, multi-agency Task Force deliver credible, accessible federal guidance on an accelerated timeline.