Banning Social Media for Kids Is a Bad Idea
It is clear that social media affects mental health and poses a danger to children and adolescents. One study showed it took just 40 minutes of browsing for a platform in Mexico to recommend content to a teenage girl that contains references to suicide.
What’s most concerning is that these aren’t isolated glitches but rather a result of how algorithms are designed to hook users and keep them on the platforms longer. With infinite scrolling and the instant gratification it provides, social media can become as addictive as cigarettes.
These factors, coupled with concerns about screen time and other worries, have led many countries to enact bans or restrictions on social media for kids. Last year, Australia became the first country to try to keep people under 16 off the apps. In June, the United Arab Emirates enacted a measurelocking youth under 15 out of platforms...
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