Social media has become an integral part of our daily routines, yet its usage is linked to a rise in mental health issues among teenagers and children. Advocates and legislators are working towards enacting new regulations to enhance the safety of young individuals online. Two proposed bills have garnered support from Attorney General Leticia James.
“Research indicates that the youth are increasingly spending time on the internet, with teenagers reportedly spending a minimum of eight hours online daily,” expressed AG James. According to studies by the U.S. Surgeon General, up to 95% of individuals aged 13 to 17 engage with at least one social media platform. James stressed, “Social media is contributing to a crisis in mental health among the younger population. We have a duty to address this crisis within New York State and ensure the online protection of our children, emphasizing their mental well-being over financial gain.”
The two bills in question are the SAFER Kids Online Act and the New York Child Protection Act. The former would mandate social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to curb addictive algorithms and limit notifications and access during late-night hours, from midnight to 6 am. Teachers, speaking at a recent rally, described students arriving at school exhausted due to excessive phone usage at night.
President of the New York United Teachers, Melinda Person, emphasized, “Kids struggle to stay alert in class as they admit to staying up all night scrolling through their phones.” The New York Child Protection Act, on the other hand, aims to prevent the unauthorized collection, purchase, and dissemination of minors’ data.
“As our educational landscape becomes increasingly high-tech, it is imperative to set boundaries to safeguard our children. The potential advantages should not overshadow the negative impacts,” highlighted supporters of the bills. They underscored the importance of not relying solely on tech giants to self-regulate, as their primary focus is profit rather than the well-being of young individuals.
Lawmakers in New York state expressed frustration with the federal government’s delay in implementing protective measures, noting that comprehensive regulations for children online have not been updated since 1998. Senator Andrew Gounarde lamented, “The last time Congress took substantial action to safeguard children online was in 1998 when we were still receiving America Online discs via mail and connecting through dial-up internet.”
Advocates behind the proposed policies clarified that the objective is not to ban social media but to create a safer online environment for young users.