Lewiston, Maine, U.S.A. – Just like the government decides the age that kids can drive, vote, and drink alcohol, there should be controls on social media, according to U.S. Sen. Angus King of Maine.
In a recent interview with Youth Journalism International King explained why he and fellow members of Congress believe this potential law is necessary.
There is a lot of data that proves social media can be very dangerous for young people, especially people under the age of 13, King said.
The data shows that social media can cause anxiety, mental health issues, and even suicidal ideation, according to King.
King said what he and others are proposing is very much like how you can’t get your driver’s license until you’re 16 – because young people driving cars can be dangerous – or how you can’t buy alcohol until you’re 21.
According to King, it’s all the same idea – something is dangerous, so leaders implement policies to protect children and youth who cannot weigh risk in the same way as adults.
King, who is an Independent, said the proposed law is supported by both Democrats and Republicans. He proudly presents the fact that the bill is sponsored by himself and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who quite often aren’t on the same team, making it a bipartisan bill.
The bill isn’t banning young people from social media, King said, it’s just making sure they can’t have their own accounts, or at least that’s what lawmakers are aiming for. He also said there are many other bills, all of them with the goal of protecting young people from social media.
When asked whether or not they are getting any feedback from young people about the bill, King explained that he certainly expected more feedback than he’s received so far. He also said that he and others expected feedback from parents saying that Congress shouldn’t be able to set limits on their children.
King said, though, that he was discussing the bill at another event and was surprised when a parent group responded with a huge ovation, meaning that they loved it.
He knows that there are probably some who don’t like it, King said, but that’s politics. Lawmakers may get more feedback, he said, but for now it’s been pretty positive.
When asked about kids in abusive situations – maybe they’re gay or trans – whose parents aren’t going to give them permission to use social media websites or apps, but for whom social media offers a way to find a safe, loving and accepting community, King answered thoughtfully.
“Well, there may be other outlets,” he said. “There may be other people they could go to in the community.”
He then said there’s no policy that’s perfect, but to him this policy is clear and straightforward.
The fact that this bill is bipartisan shows that it reflects public opinion, according to King. He finished by going back to his original argument.
“And again, the government tells kids when they can drive, when they can buy alcohol, and when they can buy a gun,” King said. “So this is the same.”
The bill, which has five cosponsors, is before the Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. It is unclear whether the panel will take any action on it.
Charlie Wallis-Martel is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Maine. She wrote this story.
Sreehitha Gandluri is a Correspondent and Senior Illustrator with Youth Journalism International from Maryland. She contributed the photograph at the top.
