New social media restrictions could be coming for young people, thanks to a bipartisan effort among four U.S. senators, including Alabama Sen. Katie Britt.
Politico reported on Tuesday that Britt and fellow Republican Tom Cotton, R-Ark., are working with Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, to establish new guidelines for social media usage by kids.
Specifically, Politico reported, the bill, which is still being finalized, would ban children under the age of 13 from using all social media platforms and significantly restrict children ages 13-17 from using the platforms.
The bill also would regulate the algorithms that social media companies use to target children, Politico reported.
Politico noted that the four senators typically have very little in common politically, but in this instance they all have young children and have found a common ground issue.
The legislation is likely to be very popular, particularly among parents. There has been growing concern around the country, and among mental health experts, about the effects of social media on children.
Instances of bullying and childhood depression are significantly increased among children who are active on social media. Various studies have also found increased instances of high anxiety, mental impairment and even altered physical growth among children who are active on social media.
