Washington D.C. – A new bill has been introduced in the United States Senate that could ban children under the age of 13 from using social media. The proposed legislation aims to protect children from the potential dangers of social media and safeguard their privacy.
The bill, titled the “Social Media Protection and Privacy Act,” was introduced by Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri. If passed, it would require social media companies to take steps to ensure that children under 13 are not allowed to create accounts on their platforms.
Senator Hawley stated, “Big tech companies are failing to protect kids online. Their business model relies on exploiting and manipulating children, and it’s time we hold them accountable.”
The bill would also require social media companies to obtain parental consent before allowing children aged 13-15 to create accounts. Additionally, companies would be required to disclose the types of data they collect from users and how it is used.
Many child safety advocates have welcomed the bill, citing concerns about the potential harm that social media can cause to young children. However, some critics have raised concerns about the practicality of enforcing the ban and the potential for children to simply lie about their age.
The bill has yet to be voted on by the Senate, but it has already generated significant debate and discussion. Supporters believe that it could be a crucial step in protecting children’s privacy and safety online, while opponents argue that it could be difficult to implement and could limit children’s access to important online resources.
Regardless of the outcome, the bill represents an important conversation about the role of social media in children’s lives and the responsibility of tech companies to protect their users.