Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt's bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting children from the negative effects of social media has passed the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill, known as the Kids Off Social Media Act, was selected by committee chairman Senator Ted Cruz as the first legislative markup in the 119th Congress, reflecting a focus on addressing concerns related to Big Tech.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a minimum age of 13 for social media usage and restricts platforms from delivering algorithmically-targeted content to users under 17. Senators Brian Schatz and Chris Murphy joined Britt and Cruz in introducing the bill last week.

"Our country is in the throes of a mental health crisis, and the rise of social media usage among children and teenagers is inextricably tied to this problem," said Senator Britt. She emphasized that setting "commonsense guardrails" is essential for addressing the growing mental health challenges.

The act includes provisions that would prohibit children under 13 from creating or maintaining social media accounts and restrict targeted content for those under 17. It also grants enforcement authority to the FTC and state attorneys general while requiring schools to limit social media on federally-funded networks.

"The Senate Commerce Committee’s approval of the Kids Off Social Media Act is an important step forward to safeguard our children’s futures," added Britt. She highlighted the need for age-appropriate solutions to tackle these issues, expressing hope that the bill will reach President Trump for signing.

The legislation has garnered support from several senators across party lines, including Peter Welch, Ted Budd, John Fetterman, Angus King, Mark Warner, and John Curtis. Surveys indicate strong parental support for such measures, with over 90% of mothers advocating for a minimum age requirement on social media.

Research shows significant parental concern about children's exposure to explicit content and excessive screen time due to social media. A Pew study found that more than two-thirds of parents believe parenting is more challenging today compared to two decades ago due in part to social media influences.

Senator Britt has prioritized youth mental health as a policy focus over recent years. She has supported various legislative efforts aimed at protecting children online and holding platforms accountable.

Data from surveys such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey reveal troubling statistics regarding mental health among young people. Findings show that a substantial percentage of high school students experience persistent sadness or hopelessness, with some considering suicide.

Studies link increased screen time with poor mental health outcomes among youth. From 2019 to 2021, screen use surged by 17% among teens and tweens. In response, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory calling for policies enforcing age restrictions and limiting engagement-driven features like algorithms.