WILKES-BARRE — A group of Pennsylvania legislators is taking action to address the alarming rise in online child exploitation by introducing a resolution that designates the week of Aug. 17 through 23, as “Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week” in Pennsylvania.
The measure is being led by Sen Scott Martin, R-Lancaster; Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, R-Montgomery; Sen. Frank Farry, R-Bucks; and Sen. Rosemary Brown, R-Monroe.
Together, they are urging schools, parents, and community leaders to join in promoting education and prevention of online dangers to children during the designated week.
This initiative is the first of its kind in the United States. No other state has formally designated a week focused solely on social media safety and parental awareness in response to the growing threats of sextortion and AI-driven exploitation. Pennsylvania is leading the way on both the state and national level, setting a precedent for how lawmakers can respond to the evolving challenges children face online.
Martin previously authored legislation creating Pennsylvania’s Safe2Say Something school threat reporting program under Act 44 of 2018. Farry authored companion legislation when he was in the House of Representatives.
The resolution builds on recent legislative efforts at both the state and federal level to better protect children from threats online. In Pennsylvania, Act 125 of 2024 criminalized the creation and distribution of an intimate or sexual deepfake of a person and classified explicit deepfakes of minors as child sexual abuse material.
Also, Act 35 of 2025 classified digital impersonation and deepfakes as a form of criminal forgery under Title 18, giving law enforcement new tools to combat online abuse. The legislation was the first of its kind in the nation to take a comprehensive approach to deepfakes.
Sen. Pennycuick was the lead author of both laws.
In 2024, the Cyber Tipline received 20.5 million reports of suspected child exploitation, including over 546,000 cases of online enticement and 67,000 involving AI-generated content.
Reports linked to artificial intelligence rose by more than 1,300%. More than 100,000 cases involved fake explicit images used to extort victims.
In many instances, the abuse was only discovered after the child attempted self-harm or suicide. Disturbingly, an estimated 98% of sextortion cases go unreported, according to a recent study.
Meuser shares info for seniors to take advantage of SS deductions
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, celebrated the 90th Anniversary of Social Security this week and announced he will be sharing important information on his official website regarding a new tax benefit for seniors — the Enhanced Deduction for Seniors — as enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which he said delivers no tax on Social Security for nearly all seniors.
Meuser said the OBBB provides for an additional $6,000 deduction and applies to taxpayers who are 65 and older from end of 2025 through 2028. This is designed specifically to deliver relief for seniors that rely on social security.
From tax years 2025 through 2028, individuals age 65 and older may claim an additional deduction of $6,000 on top of the current senior deduction, whether they take the standard deduction or itemize. This means the standard deduction for a single filer increases from $17,750 to $23,750, and for married couples where both are 65 or older from $35,500 to $47,500.
Meuser emphasized that no separate application is required. In tax year 2025, seniors can check the box on IRS Form 1040 or 1040-SR, indicating you are 65 or older, and the IRS will apply the deduction automatically. The change takes effect for tax years beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and will first be available when filing 2025 tax returns in early 2026.
The deduction will allow most seniors to fully offset the taxable portion of their Social Security benefits, helping them keep more of their income. It is designed to simplify filing, will increase annually with inflation, and ensures that more retirement income remains tax-free.
“As we mark the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act this week, we’re highlighting how the One Big Beautiful Bill has strengthened the program,” said Meuser. “We’re sharing important details about the new Enhanced Deduction for Seniors so they can maximize their tax relief.”
For information, visit taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov or contact Meuser’s office at 570-871-6370.
Committee advances Secretary of Education nomination
The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland, this week voted unanimously to advance the nomination of Carrie Rowe to serve as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Education.
During the hearing, members of the committee heard Rowe’s testimony outlining her background, experience, and priorities for the Department of Education.
Rowe, a lifelong Pennsylvania resident and product of the Commonwealth’s public schools, has served as a Spanish teacher, principal, superintendent, and Deputy Secretary at the Department of Education.
As Chair, Culver emphasized the committee’s constitutional duty to evaluate the Governor’s nominees and its responsibility to provide ongoing oversight of the Department.
Culver questioned Rowe on issues including accountability for all public schools, ensuring parity in education funding for rural districts, and the progress of the State Board of Higher Education in coordinating efforts between higher education and workforce development.
Following member questions, the committee voted to report Rowe’s nomination to the full Senate with no recommendation.
If confirmed by the Senate, Rowe will officially serve as the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Education, overseeing policies and programs impacting more than 1.7 million public school students.
She has been serving as acting secretary since being nominated by the governor.