Maryland lawmakers respond to “Kids Off Social Media Act”
MARYLAND- Earlier this month The United States Senate Commerce Committee approved a controversial bill concerning children and social media.
Bipartisan Bill
The bipartisan Kids Off Social Media Act was introduced by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), and Katie Britt (R-Alabama). The act prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 13 to create accounts. It would also require schools to limit social media use on their networks.
Maryland Senator Mary Beth Carozza says the Maryland General Assembly is also addressing the concerns educators have while instructing and has just begun to look at social media restrictions. “We do have an issue; too many students are using their devices during classroom time across the state… One of those bills actually bans the use of mobile phones for students during instructional times.”
Media and Mental Health
Sponsors of the congressional bill contend there is a quote: “a strong relationship between social media use and poor mental health, especially among children.” Senator Carozza goes on to explain though there isn’t legislation like this just yet, they have taken the time to look into it. “There’s an attempt to provide guidance on how social media platforms are developed by students, and to educate there’s a misuse on some of the development of these social media platforms.”
Father and grandfather Moses Nixon Jr. says social media can be a negative influence, and the state should have some say. “I think social media makes kids grow too fast, and mature too quick, instead of enjoying childhood… I think at 11 or 12 years old a child should be able to have a cell phone, a child doesn’t need no cell phone at 8-9 years old.”
Student Safety
The Act will also prohibit platforms from algorithmically recommending content to teens under 18. Here in Maryland, Senator Carozza says conversation with school boards and superintendents should be had first. Carozza maintains child safety is of utmost importance. “There are efforts to make sure that both students and caregivers know of the misuse of these social media platforms and it’s also a protection for our children across the board.”
According to Media Post, sponsors of the Kids off Social Media Act stated it would quote “protect kids from the harmful impacts of social media,” and “stop taxpayers from funding tools that allow kids to doomscroll in their classrooms.” Critics, however, argue the measure would violate the First Amendment and could, counterproductively, expose young users to harassment.
Digital rights groups including the Center for Democracy & Technology, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and American Civil Liberties Union, have submitted letters to the Senate Commerce Committee, that the measure would violate the First Amendment.
