About Carson
Carson J. Bride was a vibrant, creative teenager who loved making people laugh, acting in plays, and lifting spirits with his big hugs and bright smile. During the Covid lockdowns, he joined Snapchat to stay connected with classmates, where he was introduced to anonymous apps Yolo and LMK. In just two weeks, Carson was flooded with hundreds of cruel messages. His final search was for a way to uncover who was behind them.
On June 23, 2020, at just 16 years old, Carson died by suicide. His story is a powerful reminder that there is always a real person behind the screen—and that kindness truly matters.
Carson’s Legacy, A Mother’s Mission
In the wake of unimaginable loss, Carson’s mother, Kristin Bride, transformed her grief into action. She became a leading voice for social media reform, determined to hold tech companies accountable and protect other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
In 2021, Kristin co-founded the Online Harms Prevention Workgroup and filed a national class action lawsuit against anonymous apps Yolo and LMK. The lawsuit forced Snapchat to immediately remove these apps from its platform. Kristin’s case against Yolo continues today, after winning a landmark Section 230 appeal which set legal precedent for holding tech companies responsible for misrepresenting dangerous products.
Her advocacy didn’t stop in the courtroom. Kristin has spoken across the nation and the world, using Carson’s story to drive change:
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Testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Protecting Children Online (2023).
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Helped pass Oregon’s Carson’s Law (HB 2631), requiring schools to notify parents when their child is bullied.
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Addressed audiences at global events including the Center for Digital Hate Global Summit, Sync Global Summit in Saudi Arabia, and The Nantucket Project.
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Shared her message through countless interviews, podcasts, and public awareness campaigns.
The Birth of The Carson J. Bride Effect
Dr. Vivek Murthy (19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General) acknowledges Kristin’s advocacy at the December 2025 National Association of Attorneys General Conference in Washington DC.
Through these efforts, Kristin came to see the urgent need for an organization dedicated to exposing the harms of what she calls “Tiny Tech”—smaller, fast-growing apps that often slip under the radar but pose serious dangers to children.
The Carson J. Bride Effect was founded to carry Carson’s vision forward. Guided by research, awareness, and advocacy, the organization works to:
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Shine a light on predatory tech practices
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Educate families and lawmakers with knowledge and tools
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Drive real change through legislation, legal action and movement building
Carson’s life, and Kristin’s determination, fuel every step of this mission. Together, we fight for a safer digital world where kindness, accountability, and care come first.
Kristin with Senator Blumenthal (CT) and Senator Blackburn (TN) in January 2024, bi-partisan co-sponsors of the Kids Online Safety Act.
Our Mission
At The Carson J. Bride Effect, our mission is simple yet urgent:
To advance Carson Bride’s vision for a better world by exposing Tech’s predatory and dangerous product designs through research, awareness, and advocacy.
Through research, we uncover risks. Through awareness, we amplify stories and spread knowledge. Through advocacy, we push for stronger laws and legal action that ensure technology is held to the highest standards of safety.
Carson’s story fuels everything we do. His legacy is a reminder that kindness matters and together we can build a digital world that truly protects our children.
The Lasting Impact of Bullying
After a bad day of middle school, Carson used art to express the pain he felt from being bullied. Through her advocacy work, Kristin has heard the stories of so many adults who express that the childhood pain of bullying never leaves them.
