Amid growing concern about children's use of social media, the United Kingdom implemented rules designed to keep kids safer and limit their screen time. The U.S. is weighing similar legislation.
For example, there were 44 changes across platforms to improve youth safety and well-being. That included Instagram announcing that it wouldInstagram says it will notify minors Research also shows how addictive the platforms' designs are, says Perry. And that is particularly bad for kids' brains, which aren't fully developed yet, adds Prinstein.
The report notes that several U.S. states are also pursuing legislation modeled after the U.K.'s Children's Code. In fact, California, sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. The bill would require social media platforms to reduce harm to kids. It's also aiming to"make sure that tech companies are keeping kids' privacy in mind, thinking about ways in which their data can be used," says Prinstein.