As a screen addiction coach, I am deeply concerned about the impact of social media on children. In recent years, there has been growing evidence that social media companies are using children’s personal information to target them with invasive and harmful advertisements.
Targeted advertising is highly effective and businesses know this. Collecting personal information about children allows social media companies to create highly curated profiles and serve more effective advertising. This may result in children being shown ads that are not age appropriate or encourage purchases they do not need or want.
Additionally, social media addiction can be a very real problem for many children. It has been shown to have a negative impact on mental health.
That’s why I wanted to know about a law recently passed in Utah aimed at protecting children from these practices. The new law requires social media companies to obtain opt-in consent from children and their parents before collecting personal information and using it for targeted advertising. The second bill would ban children under the age of 18 from using social media between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. and require age verification before using social media in the state.
Similar proposals are underway in other states such as Arkansas, New Jersey, Texas, Ohio and Louisiana. However, California enacted a law requiring tech companies to make child safety a top priority by banning the profiling of children and the misuse of personal information that could be harmful or abusive.
This is a big step forward in protecting children’s privacy online. By requiring explicit consent from social media companies, the law gives parents more control over their children’s personal information and helps prevent children from being unwittingly targeted for advertising.
But is it right for governments to control parental responsibilities?
Limiting screen time can help, but it’s important to address the underlying issues that contribute to social media addiction in the first place. Children use social media for a variety of reasons, including boredom, loneliness, and the need for social connection. Simply limiting screen time without addressing these underlying issues is unlikely to solve the problem.
Utah law may help reduce the amount of time children spend on these platforms, and while it may mitigate some of the negative effects of social media addiction, it does limit the amount of time children can have access to. Removing does not teach you about self-regulation.
Excessive screen time is associated with a variety of negative effects on children’s physical and mental health, including obesity, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and impaired social skills. By learning to follow and adjust, children can develop healthy habits and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Additionally, practicing self-regulation helps children develop the self-discipline and decision-making skills that are critical to their success in many areas of life.
Additionally, law enforcement can be difficult. Parents can do their part by limiting screen time at home, but it’s much harder to control what their kids do outside the home.Social media is everywhere Yes, kids can access it on their cell phones, at school, and at friends’ homes. It’s important to recognize that social media addiction is a complex issue that requires a multi-pronged approach.
I think California’s move to ban social media companies from profiling children or misusing children’s personal information on their sites is a move in the right direction.
However, I do not support government laws that block children’s online access to social media sites for any length of time.
Allowing governments to control children’s access to social media can have serious implications for free speech and personal privacy. It is important that parents take responsibility for monitoring their child’s online activities and teaching them how to use social media in a safe and responsible manner.
Governments may have good intentions, but their actions can potentially violate individual rights and limit self-expression and connection with others.
Additionally, governments may not have the expertise and understanding of the evolving social media landscape needed to effectively regulate social media.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to provide guidance and support to help their children navigate the complex digital world.
