Meta says its parental controls protect kids. But hardly anyone uses them.
Washington PostFEB 2024
The impact of social media on children's mental health has for years underscored the urgent need for reforms to protect children online. A rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues linked to social media has frequently been reported in recent years. KOSA offers much-needed safeguards, requiring platforms to enable strong privacy settings for minors, give parents more control, and hold platforms accountable for harmful content. It could create a safer digital environment for children, preventing tragedies from being repeated.
The child online safety reforms, though well-intentioned, may inadvertently harm children. To enforce these laws, tech companies must identify underage users, leading to increased online surveillance and privacy issues for everyone. This limits internet freedom and disproportionately affects marginalized communities like undocumented migrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. These measures could invade privacy and restrict access to crucial information.
Adults worrying about young people's online experiences may be missing a key perspective: children's. They often misunderstand or overreact to children's online experiences, making them reluctant to seek help. Social media is an integral part of children's lives and can’t simply be avoided. Supportive, non-judgmental adult involvement may be key here, with a balanced approach that addresses both online risks and real-world challenges.
There is a 50% chance a currently unknown social media app will reach 1B downloads worldwide by August 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.