Senator Chris Murphy introduced the “Protecting Kids on Social Media Act.” According to the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act, users of social media apps must be at least 13 years old, and those between the ages of 13 and 17 must have their parents’ permission. Additionally, the legislation would stop social media sites from delivering content using algorithms to people under 18. Although he created this, he does not think social media is awful.
During the pandemic, social media was a good way for his kids to communicate with friends and family during those hard times. But that reason does not entirely change his mind on social media. He thinks that children under 12 should not be permitted to use any social media platforms since social media may profoundly affect a young person’s life simply because a 12-year-old’s mind is still developing. If what kids are viewing is not censored, the things they see on social media won’t benefit them. They might have a negative one. He would like kids 12 years or younger to stop making accounts ultimately. When you are 13 -17 years old, it does say that you can have social media but with your parents’ permission. The only thing about this is that you cannot post or view content. But you would have to prove your age, so it says (Ban social media for kids? Fed-up parents in the Senate say yes).
It’s kind of crazy to think that many people would approve of banning social media ban for minors; from my experience, I disagree because it would make everything so much more complicated. It removes complete privacy from parents. Everyone can agree that there are conversations that would be preferred to be private, but whether good or bad, a minor would know what’s right. Those ages 13-17 are not that dumb; they are smart enough to be responsible for what they see and do. Who knows what people go through? Social media could be a coping mechanism for some. If I were to go around asking teenagers what they think about being banned from social media and having to have parental supervision, almost all would say no. It just makes no sense; after being closed from the world for so long after COVID, they think banning a source of entertainment would improve things. That’s what I think, at least; what do you think?
