by Harsimar Kang, Contributing Author
image source: U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
In this post-election season, social media feeds may be politicized – with some online advocating for violence, unrest, or even just bullying those of oppositional views. Lawmakers earlier this year asked – what are ways in which we could protect children and their wellbeing online?
Let’s first delve into what exactly is the concern. Earlier this year, PBS Wisconsin wrote an article about screen addiction, citing sources such as the WHO, who mentioned that 1.5 billion children worldwide began using sites like social media or video games during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this increased screen time did not just stay in 2020. Experts cite that phones provide an escape for children where they can create a sense of belonging and join like-minded individuals on various media platforms. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey of American teens ages 13-17 were asked about impacts of smartphones on their lives. Without their phones, nearly half of teens responded that they felt anxious (44%) and distracted (46%). This builds on research published by the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health, who stated that spending too much time on a screen physically alters the brain due to premature thinning of the cortex, leading to lower cognitive skills.
Some in Wisconsin, and nationwide, argue that social media companies are to blame for the screen addictions. Earlier this year in April, the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin and the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota filed a lawsuit against platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Snap, TikTok and Youtube. Their claims include the fact that these social media sites intentionally encourage youth to use their products, leveraging this usage to increase revenue. These social media algorithms are designed to maximize engagement and they claim this promotes an addiction to the technology through the promotion of social media use at levels and frequency that is harmful to children. They end their lawsuit with statements that mirror this Pew research, stating how there have been large increases in anxiety, depression, and suicide among youth in the Menominee Tribe, especially as many youth are unable to control their impulse to use social media, and they express fear and anxiety about what other students post about them online.
These concerns are not just state-specific. In July of this year, the U.S. Senate passed two bills to regulate social media usage. The first, the Kids Online Safety Act, puts the onus on social media platforms to “prevent and mitigate” harm to children, including limiting the use of user-specific algorithms as well as preventing children from accessing content that promotes violence, bullying, suicide, eating disorders, sexual abuse, and drug usage. The Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act is the second bill, requiring parental consent before children information is collected online. The bills are still in consideration by the House of Representatives, with the first day of reporting having occurred on 09/18/2024. However, while the bills had bipartisan support in the Senate (91-3), there are concerns along party lines in the House. While President Joe Biden stated he will sign these bills if they come to him before his term ends, it is unclear whether President-Elect Donald Trump will do similarly. And while these bills may come to pass, it is also unclear how exactly they will be enacted by companies.
While not the focus of this article, it is also important to keep in mind the possible downsides of this regulation. Social media is also a forum through which kids access information. During the pandemic, teens used social media for information about COVID-19, mental health support, civic engagement and social justice. Through forcing companies to create limits for children, there may be inadvertent censorship as well as restriction of vital information. There is concern for blanket restrictions against topics. How would social media and AI account for a child looking up vital information to prevent suicide and bullying as opposed to looking for content that promotes it? Would both categories of children be lumped similarly? And furthermore, how does this affect LGBTQ+ and other minority youth who want to access certain information but find that their social media restricts them, especially depending on the state. Social media can help vulnerable youth explore and affirm their identities, values and beliefs. Exactly what content is considered to be violent, bullying or harmful is a matter of subjectivity in of itself.
While the issue of screen time does not have to be all doom and gloom, especially as smartphones and social media are here to stay, there are some important recommendations to keep in mind. Many researchers advise delaying smartphone usage until age 14 or older until children’s brains are further developed. Advice also includes the usage of parental controls, which may be controversial. However, it is important to keep in mind that while social media platforms generally set a minimum user age limit of 13 years old, a 2023 Surgeon General Advisory found that 40% of children ages 8 to 12 are on social media. But beyond these measures, it is also important to model healthy screen time to children, keeping activities like meals device-free. Limit the use of social media for yourself to one hour or less of usage as well. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a tool to help families create media plans together. And all in all, encourage children to cultivate healthy habits outside of their devices, ensuring that they get plenty of physical activity, sleep, and in-person social connections.
References:
Hook, T. (2024, August 5). Bipartisan bills in Congress would regulate social media use for minors - WPR. WPR; https://www.facebook.com/wisconsinpublicradio. https://www.wpr.org/news/bipartisan-bills-in-congress-would-regulate-social-media-use-for-minors
Kaeding, D. (2024, April 12). Wisconsin tribe sues social media companies over suicide rates among Native youth - WPR. WPR; https://www.facebook.com/wisconsinpublicradio. https://www.wpr.org/news/menominee-indian-spirit-lake-tribe-sues-social-media-suicide-rates-native-youth
Nazarro, M. (2024, October 14). Johnson calls Kids Online Safety Act ‘very problematic.’ The Hill. https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4932971-johnson-calls-kids-online-safety-act-very-problematic/
Pandey, M. (2024, August 14). What are Wisconsin’s state laws, school policies on kids’ phone use? Journal Sentinel; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2024/08/14/what-are-wisconsins-state-laws-school-policies-on-kids-phone-use/74772751007/
Selkie, E. (2024). Wisconsin Public Psychiatry Network Teleconference. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/non-dhs/dcts/social-media-mental-health-august-22-2024.pdf.
Seymour, M. (2024, June 13). Counselors tackle the growing issue of kids who are struggling with screen addiction. PBS Wisconsin. https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/counselors-tackle-the-growing-issue-of-kids-who-are-struggling-with-screen-addiction/
Supporting Child Well-being Through Healthy Screen Time in a Digital World. (2022, April). Children.WI.Gov; Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health. https://children.wi.gov/Documents/ResearchData/OCMH%20Fact%20Sheet_April2022_Healthy%20Screen%20Time%20in%20a%20Digital%20World.pdf
Comments