A new study shows social media use among children is tied to lower test scores in reading and memory.
Researchers writing in JAMA analyzed data from 6,554 adolescents. While researchers noted the study was limited, they pointed out, “The finding that even low levels of early adolescent social media exposure were linked to poorer cognitive performance may suggest support for stricter age restrictions.”
A growing body of evidence shows that — by design — social media platforms are not appropriate for children.
TikTok has been accused of serving kids a steady “diet of darkness” online and struggling to protect private user data from entities in China, such as the Chinese Communist Party.
Facebook and Instagram have been accused of using algorithms intentionally designed “to exploit human psychology and foster addiction to maximize users’ screen time.”
That’s why Arkansas lawmakers have taken steps to protect kids online. The 2023 Social Media Safety Act by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jon Eubanks (R – Paris) is a good law that requires major social media companies to make sure minors don’t access social media platforms without parental consent. A social media company that violated the law could be held liable.
The law received strong support at the legislature, but tech giants — such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok — sued to strike down the Social Media Safety Act as unconstitutional. The Arkansas Attorney General is currently defending the law in court.
As we keep saying, social media is more than just websites or phone apps. These are multibillion dollar businesses with tremendous influence.
The adults who run these businesses have a responsibility to protect children on their platforms.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
