Governor Sanders Sets Out for World Economic Forum to Champion Big Tech Responsibility, Mental Health, and Economic Growth

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared today that she will be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from January 22^nd to January 24^th, 2025.

During her time there, the Governor will take part in two panel discussions: one with The Anxious Generation author Jonathan Haidt to explore smartphones, social media, and the youth mental health emergency, and the other with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to discuss the priorities of governors and the involvement of states in a presidential transition. Additionally, Governor Sanders will converse with business leaders, urging them to invest in Arkansas.

“Tech giants have contributed significantly to escalating levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide among our youth, and I am eager to partner with Jonathan Haidt in Davos to address this pressing concern and illustrate how my administration is taking action to make Big Tech accountable,” stated Governor Sanders. “I am also enthusiastic about joining Governor Beshear to engage with prominent international companies to share Arkansas’ success narrative and promote further investment in our state.”

Last year, Governor Sanders welcomed Jonathan Haidt to Arkansas for a two-day series of speaking events and school visits. Motivated by Haidt’s research, the Governor initiated a pilot program in Arkansas aimed at creating phone-free schools, providing institutions with funding for pouches that prevent students from utilizing smartphones during academic hours.

In her 2025 State of the State address, the Governor elaborated on her initiatives to hold Big Tech accountable, including prohibiting smartphones in all Arkansas educational facilities, from bell to bell, revising Arkansas’ Social Media Safety Act to avoid further legal delays, and empowering Arkansas parents to initiate lawsuits against Big Tech companies under state law to ensure accountability of wrongdoers.

The Governor’s economic initiatives in Davos come after earlier visits to the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, and Japan in 2024, as well as attending the Paris Air Show in 2023. In those trips, she acquired significant investments from firms such as Dassault Falcon, Walther Arms, and RTX.