Austin News

U.S. Senators have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at safeguarding children from the potential harms of social media. The proposed Kids Off Social Media Act, spearheaded by U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), along with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.), seeks to establish a minimum age of 13 for social media usage and to restrict social media companies from using algorithms to target content to users under 17.

Senator Cruz emphasized the importance of addressing online threats faced by children, stating, "Every parent I know is concerned about the online threats to kids—from predators to videos promoting self-harm, risky behavior, or low self-esteem." He highlighted the role of this legislation in supporting families and empowering educators.

Senator Schatz underscored the urgency of the issue, remarking, "There is no good reason for a nine-year-old to be on Instagram or Snapchat... This is an urgent health crisis." He noted that protecting children online transcends partisan divides.

The initiative has garnered support from various senators across party lines. Senator Murphy pointed out the harmful impact of social media's addictive algorithms on young people, while Senator Britt linked rising mental health issues among youth with increased social media use. Both senators stressed the need for protective measures.

Recent data underscores these concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported high levels of persistent sadness among high school students in 2021, with significant numbers contemplating suicide. The correlation between social media use and poor mental health is well-documented, prompting calls for regulatory measures.

In addition to setting age limits, the Kids Off Social Media Act aims to empower enforcement by providing authority to the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general. It also encourages schools to limit social media access on federally-funded networks.

The bill has received broad support from organizations such as Public Citizen, National Organization for Women, and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. A survey by Count on Mothers found strong parental backing for setting a minimum age for social media use and limiting algorithmic content targeting.