PITTSBURGH, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday on Monday outlined an expanded school-safety and youth outreach effort in Pittsburgh as his office increases scrutiny of social media platforms and prepares new training programs for schools amid concerns about technology’s effects on children.
Sunday joined leaders of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania to discuss initiatives ranging from social media litigation to school presentations and training on missing and exploited children.
The effort follows a settlement reached last week with Meta over allegations involving the addictive design of its platforms. Sunday’s office also has filed lawsuits raising similar allegations against Snapchat and TikTok.
“Being a parent in 2026 is hard when we know technology is changing faster than anyone can keep up with,” Sunday stated. He added that his office would continue to prioritize children’s safety and mental well-being as technology evolves.
The attorney general also pointed to the office’s teenTALK program, which involved discussions with Pennsylvania students during the previous school year, while outlining additional programming being made available to schools.
The Office of Public Engagement offers presentations that schools and other organizations can request, with additional online webinars expected to become available in the coming weeks. Information about existing programs is available through the Attorney General’s Office at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/our-work/office-of-public-engagement/.
Separately, the office’s Child Predator Section plans to begin offering training for schools in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the coming weeks. Schools can request information through https://ncmec.org/supportus/program-partners.
Sunday emphasized that the state’s approach extends beyond regulating technology, arguing that in-person relationships remain important as children spend more of their lives interacting with digital platforms.
Christopher Watts, president and chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, similarly pointed to the tension between technology’s potential benefits and risks.
“No matter how technology evolves, we know that kids still need meaningful human connection, trusted relationships, a sense of belonging, and supportive environments,” Watts stated.
Sunday and members of his staff also met with Boys & Girls Clubs leadership and toured the Pittsburgh facility to review programs available to area children and teenagers.
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