#27 - Andrea Sparks: Protecting Children Online and Building a Movement for Change

Welcome to Episode #27 of Bills & Business. In this episode, host Laura Carr is joined by Andrea Sparks, Co-Founder of Not on Our Watch Texas (NOWTX) and Director of Government Relations at Buckner International. Andrea shares her inspiring journey from law school to leading child protection efforts at the state level, including her pivotal role in creating the Governor’s Child Sex Trafficking Team.Andrea and Laura dive deep into the realities of child exploitation in the digital age, discussing why smartphones have become the "new white van" and what myths need to be broken around online safety. Andrea also highlights how businesswomen across Texas are stepping into leadership roles through NOWTX to protect children and build a culture of prevention.Listeners will hear about legislative efforts like SB 2420, strategies to empower communities, and the broader vision for safeguarding families. Andrea’s passion for creating lasting change shines throughout this conversation, offering practical steps for anyone who wants to be part of the solution.Join Laura Carr, Co-Founder of USLege, for a compelling discussion about turning policy into protection—and why every voice matters in building a safer future for Texas children.Don’t forget to subscribe to Bills & Business on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more in-depth conversations on the key issues impacting Texas.📲 Follow Laura Carr  🐦 Twitter: @Laura_USLege  💼 LinkedIn: @Laura Carr  📸 Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thereallauracarr/">@thereallauracarr</a>🛍️ ShopMy: <a href="https://shopmy.us/shop/lauraluise?Section_title=latest-finds&tab=collections">@lauraluise</a>✍️ Substack: <a href="https://lauraluise.substack.com/">@lauraluise</a>🔗 Links: <a href="https://lauraluise.carrd.co/">@lauraluise</a>📲 Follow USLege  ✨ Instagram: @uslege.ai  📘 Facebook: @uslege.ai  🐦 Twitter: @USLege_ai  💼 LinkedIn: @USLege  🎧 Subscribe to Bills & Business  ▶️ YouTube: @BillsandBusiness  🎵 Spotify: Bills and Business by USLege  🍎 Apple Podcasts: Bills and Business by USLege  🎥 TikTok: @billsandbusiness  📲 Follow Andrea Sparks✨ Instagram: @andigalsparks📘 Facebook: @Andrea Sparks💼 LinkedIn: @Andrea Sparks🎬 Produced by USLege  📞 Want to see USLege in action? Schedule a demo today!