House Bill 3914 requires social media companies to verify account holders are either at least 18-years-old or have parental consent if they are 16 to 18-years-old. The House passed Representative Chad Caldwell’s bill this week.
“We know that social media is incredibly harmful to teens and that social media platforms have intentionally targeted our children through the use of algorithms,” Caldwell said. “While the dangerous effects of social media are felt by all ages and all sexes, social media is especially harmful for teenage girls as demonstrated by rates of self-harm and anxiety increasing by 100% and 140% respectively.”
Caldwell says this bill does not restrict content on social media platforms. It simply provides protection for underage users.
He also contends that social media should be treated like tobacco or alcohol.
“We know that social media is incredibly harmful to teens and that social media platforms have intentionally targeted our children through the use of algorithms,” Caldwell said. “While the dangerous effects of social media are felt by all ages and all sexes, social media is especially harmful for teenage girls as demonstrated by rates of self-harm and anxiety increasing by 100% and 140% respectively.”
