Urges Congress and President of US to enact "Kids Online Safety Act."
The resolution highlights that social media platforms are designed to promote addictive behaviors, which has led to a dramatic increase in usage among children and teenagers in recent years. It outlines that while the engagement in social media has risen, so has the mental illness among these demographics, making legislative action increasingly urgent. The 'Kids Online Safety Act' aims to ensure that platforms mitigate these negative impacts by promoting data safety and expanding parental controls over minors' online activities.
Assembly Resolution No. 115 urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact the 'Kids Online Safety Act'. This act aims to address the growing mental health crisis associated with social media usage among minors, particularly in relation to poor mental health outcomes and increasing prevalence of mental health issues among children and adolescents. The resolution cites alarming statistics, including that 36.7% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 have reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness, with significant portions considering suicide and developing plans.
Notably, the resolution raises concerns over inaction from social media companies in addressing the mental health impacts of their platforms. Despite substantial evidence linking social media usage to increased mental health problems, there has been little meaningful response from the tech industry. The upcoming legislative action proposed in the 'Kids Online Safety Act' seeks to enforce changes that require social media companies to take responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of younger users.