Jefferson Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2024 – In a bipartisan effort, U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Brian Schatz, Ted Cruz, and Chris Murphy have introduced the Kids Off Social Media Act aimed at safeguarding adolescents from the negative impacts of social media.

Senator Britt emphasized the urgency of addressing the mental health crisis linked to social media, stating, “There is no doubt that our country is facing a growing youth mental health crisis that is inextricably tied to the rise of social media usage by children and teenagers.”

Senator Schatz echoed these sentiments, highlighting the detrimental effects of social media on children's well-being, “There is no good reason for a nine-year-old to be on Instagram or TikTok. The growing evidence is clear: social media is making kids more depressed, more anxious, and more suicidal. This is an urgent health crisis, and Congress must act."

Senator Cruz underlined the concerns of parents regarding the harmful nature of social media, stating, “Every parent with a young child or a teenager either worries about, or knows first-hand, the real harms and dangers of addictive and anxiety-inducing social media."

Senator Murphy, emphasizing the need for action, expressed, “As a parent, I see firsthand how damaging social media can be to kids. Social media companies know that they are hurting our children with their addictive products, yet they refuse to adequately protect our kids from harm because it would hurt the companies’ profits."

The Kids Off Social Media Act proposes setting a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and restricting algorithmically-targeted content to users under 17. The legislation has garnered bipartisan support from several other Senators.

The bill aims to address the concerning statistics revealed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicating high levels of sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation among high school students, particularly girls. Studies have shown a strong correlation between social media use and poor mental health in children.

The Kids Off Social Media Act builds upon previous initiatives and aligns with recommendations from the U.S. Surgeon General to enforce age restrictions and limit features that promote excessive screen time.

Senator Britt's continued advocacy for mental health care is evident through her support for various legislative measures, including the Youth Mental Health Research Act and the Kids Online Safety Act.

For more information on the Kids Off Social Media Act, visit the official website.