American children are facing a mental health crisis driven by their excessive use of technology. Rates of anxiety and depression among young people have risen by 50%, and teen suicide has increased by 29% over the past decade. Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death for children ages 10-14, surpassing all cancers combined. The influence of social media and smartphones in children’s lives has become a significant concern, with 95% of teenagers using social media and a third of them using it constantly, exposing them to negative content that contributes to mental health issues.
Social media companies prioritize profits over the well-being of children, as the more time spent on their platforms, the more money they make. Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) is a grassroots movement of parents advocating for policies that safeguard children’s online experiences. They are urging politicians to enact legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) to regulate social media companies and protect children from harmful content and targeted advertising. MAMA also advocates for removing cellphones from schools to promote face-to-face interactions and traditional forms of learning.
Despite the evident dangers of excessive screen time, many educators and parents do not fully comprehend the impacts on children’s well-being. MAMA calls for a national education campaign to raise awareness of the negative effects of media and technology on children’s social, emotional, and academic health. By hosting virtual events and advocating for change, MAMA aims to educate and empower parents to take action similar to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which successfully reduced drunk driving fatalities since its inception. MAMA is determined to have a similar impact on the dangers of excessive online media consumption.
MAMA members and allies have rallied outside a Meta office to demand prioritization of children’s well-being over technology. The tragic story of Mary Rodee, who lost her son to suicide after he was a victim of online extortion, highlights the devastating impact of addictive algorithms and tech companies’ negligence. MAMA believes that the love of parents for their children can combat the powerful tech industry and push for changes that create a world where technology serves humanity rather than controls it. By advocating for legislative change, education, and parental organizing, MAMA seeks to address the crisis caused by excessive online media consumption and protect the well-being of children.
