Press & Media

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 60 results

Media Coverage|August 15, 2026|Axios

Axios: College Loses Its Monopoly on the American Dream

YPA member Rachel Sukkar, a UNC Chapel Hill student, is quoted on the pressure of competing in today's job market, describing college as feeling like "a rat race" amid growing anxiety over AI's impact on career prospects.

Press Release|August 11, 2026|Office of Governor Sherrill

NJ Governor Sherrill Signs Kids' Online Safety Package

New Jersey Governor Sherrill's office quotes YPA member Hannah Elder, a UNC Chapel Hill student, on the newly signed Kids Code showing her generation that tech companies shouldn't control their lives.

Op-Eds|August 8, 2026|The Fulcrum

The Case for Intergenerational AI Advocacy

Arvind Salem argues that AI systems trained on biased data discriminate against both young and elderly people, creating a rare opportunity for these age groups to form a powerful political coalition demanding fair representation in AI training data.

Also published in:The Mercury,Hastings Tribune,Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Op-Eds|July 28, 2026|The Fulcrum

Betting on Crisis: Why Prediction Markets Are a Threat to Democratic Trust

Rachel Ledoux warns that as prediction markets expand from economic forecasting into politics and global affairs, monetizing political outcomes and international crises risks eroding democratic trust and civic engagement.

Media Coverage|July 28, 2026|Politico

Politico: Kids Online Safety Advocates Ramp Up Pressure on the Senate

Politico's Congress live blog covers youth and child safety advocates, including YPA, pressing senators to advance the Kids Online Safety Act and other child safety bills as the Commerce Committee prepared to take up the legislation.

Press Release|June 30, 2026|YPA Press Release

Young People's Alliance Celebrates Passage of NJ Kids Code

YPA celebrates the passage of A4015/S3413, the New Jersey Kids Code Act, which balances kids' online safety with youth autonomy through design-based regulations.

Press Release|June 29, 2026|YPA Press Release

Young People's Alliance Statement on Passage of KIDS Act

YPA responds to the US House passage of the KIDS Act, applauding the inclusion of an opt-out for personalized recommendation systems while warning that the bill falls short on key protections for young people.

Press Release|June 24, 2026|YPA Press Release

Young People's Alliance Praises Congress for Passing Landmark Federal Housing Legislation

YPA commends Congress for passing the 21st Century Road to Housing Act (H.R. 6644), the first major housing reform legislation in decades, which will lower the cost of homeownership and rent through pro-supply policies.

Op-Eds|June 14, 2026|Common Dreams

You Can Mute Notifications But You Can't Escape the Algorithm

Sarah Manness argues that social media companies have intentionally designed their products to be addictive to young users, and that the problem cannot be resolved until the entire architecture of the platforms is overhauled.

Press Release|June 8, 2026|YPA Press Release

Young People's Alliance Celebrates Unanimous Passage of Nation's Strongest AI Chatbot Kids Safety Bill, Urges Gov. Hochul to Keep It Strong

YPA celebrates the New York Legislature's unanimous passage of S.9051 and A.10379, the strongest AI chatbot kids safety legislation in the country, and urges Gov. Hochul to sign it without weakening its protections.

Media Coverage|May 31, 2026|The Guardian

The Guardian: Young adults are struggling to achieve financial independence amid affordability crisis

YPA student Raven is quoted on the affordability crisis facing young Americans and the growing challenges to achieving financial independence in today's economy.

Op-Eds|May 20, 2026|The Fulcrum

Gen Z Begs Legislators: Make Social Media Social Again

Sparkle Rainey calls on legislators to hold Big Tech accountable with design-based regulations to combat algorithmic feeds, infinite scroll, and addictive platform features that are driving young people apart.

Media Coverage|May 14, 2026|State Affairs Pro

State Affairs: YPA Advocacy Director on Protecting Youth Social Fabric from AI Companions

Mick Tobin, Co-Founder and Advocacy Director of YPA, speaks on why AI companion regulation matters for young people's ability to build real human connections and maintain healthy social development.

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.

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.

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.