If you know anything about human trafficking and the way it thrives in society today, then you know social media is a big aspect of the whole grooming process. Even back during the pandemic when kids were in their own homes for most if not all the day, human trafficking only kicked up another gear instead of falling back thanks in large part to social media. Social media and human trafficking go hand-in-hand as it is a vital tool predators use to entice their victims. In addition, though, aside from giving access to predators, social media has also been proven dangerous for young kids for other reasons, which is outlined in this Fox Business article.  

Other Negatives of Social Media Beside Human Trafficking Access

Studies have shown that social media use by kids aged 13 and younger can cause brain development changes. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, warned that kids this age and younger should not be using social media platforms, stating “I personally, based on data I’ve seen, believe that 13 is too early.”

Policy Makers Coming Together For Kids

Policymakers from both sides of the aisle are working on making social media safer. Republican Senator Josh Hawley, along with support from otters has introduced an act that will place a minimum age requirement on social media platforms of 16 years of age. This act is entitled the MATURE Act, which stands for Making Age-Verification Technology Uniform, Robust, and Effective. Another Republican senator, Chris Stewart introduced a different piece of legislation in the House previously this year that would have similar restrictions called the Social Media Child Protection Act. 

Why These Changes Might Help

While there are already restrictions on many social media platforms theoretically preventing kids from accessing their platforms, they are easy to get around. The new legislation will in theory make it harder for kids younger than the age of 13 or 16 respectively to work around the age checkers. This would create a requirement for parents to give consent for their kids to access these platforms. Overall these changes are designed to help parents protect their kids when using social media or to be able to prevent their access from the platforms altogether. However, beyond any legislation, act, or bill, parents have the most influence on their child’s online presence and their involvement can make the difference between a safe experience and one that can lead to tragedy.