Georgia is considering a new bill that would require children under 16 to have parental consent before creating social media accounts. The bill also includes provisions to ban social media use on school devices, require porn sites to verify users’ ages, and mandate additional education in schools on social media and internet use. This bill has already passed in both the House and Senate and now awaits Governor Brian Kemp’s decision.
Some lawmakers argue that limiting social media use by children is necessary due to its negative impact on mental health. However, opponents of the bill raise concerns about potential issues it could cause, such as limiting educational resources for teachers. The bill also requires social media services to make efforts to verify users’ ages by 2025 and restrict the amount of information they can collect on children under 16.
The bill aims to protect children from accessing inappropriate content online by requiring age verification on porn sites. Companies that fail to comply could face fines up to $10,000. The Free Speech Coalition, representing adult film makers, argues that the bill is ineffective and unconstitutional, as users could easily bypass age verification measures. Despite the opposition, the bill seeks to regulate social media use for young people and protect them from potential harm online.
The U.S. Surgeon General has warned about the risks associated with social media use among young people, prompting calls for increased protection and regulation. Tech companies like Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, have taken steps to verify users’ ages and provide age-appropriate experiences for teenagers. However, several states are suing Meta Platforms Inc., accusing the company of contributing to a youth mental health crisis.
In addition to Georgia, other states like Florida have passed laws regulating social media use for children. Florida’s law prohibits social media accounts for children under 14, regardless of parental consent, and requires parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. The debate over regulating social media for young people continues as lawmakers and tech companies work to address the potential harms associated with excessive social media use.
