This information was brought to us by CyberNut
Is social media a friend or foe to our children? With Congress racing to pass new laws, we dive into the heated debate
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
The debate over child online protection laws and the impact of social media on kids continues to intensify.
With a sense of urgency, the U.S. Congress is rushing to pass broad legislation aimed at safeguarding children in the vast expanse of the internet. This includes the Kids Online Safety Act, known as “KOSA,” and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, also known as “COPPA 2.0”.
Oliver, the CEO of cybersecurity company CyberNut, delves into the heated discourse, looking at the two most prominent bills, exploring the perspectives about the potential harms of social media, while advocates highlight social media’s role in fostering connection and creativity.
What are KOSA and COPPA 2.0?
KOSA
KOSA, Oliver explains, is a bipartisan bill proposed in the United States Senate aimed at protecting children from online harms.
The legislation seeks to establish guidelines and impose obligations on social media platforms, video game sites, and messaging apps to safeguard minors from various threats such as bullying, harassment, sexual exploitation, anorexia, self-harm, and predatory marketing.
The bill is backed by children’s groups, medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, and tech companies like Snap (parent company of Snapchat) and Nintendo.
However, the proposed legislation faces opposition from civil liberties groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Their primary concern, according to Oliver, is the bill’s definition of harm, which they argue is overly broad and ambiguous, potentially leading to censorship of content on politically sensitive topics such as reproductive health and gender identity.
COPPA
On the other hand, COPPA 2.0 is a proposed legislation aimed at updating and expanding the existing Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998.
The bill extends the online privacy protections previously applicable only to children under 13 years old to also cover minors aged 13 to 16 years (teens). Oliver elaborates that this recognizes the need to safeguard the privacy of teenagers who are increasingly active online.
The bill has garnered bipartisan support from the U.S. Senate as well as advocacy groups concerned about children’s online safety. However, some civil liberties organizations have raised concerns about potential censorship and the broad definition of “harm” in the legislation.
As Oliver points out, the challenging question is: Is social media truly harmful for kids, or are we overlooking its potential benefits?
Voices of Concern: Experts Weigh In
Experts, educators, and child advocates have raised valid concerns about the potential harms of social media for kids.
- Cyberbullying, a pervasive issue in the online realm, can have devastating effects on a child’s mental health and self-esteem. Several studies have found a link between being a victim of cyberbullying and experiencing poor mental health outcomes such as lower self-esteem, increased anxiety, depression, and having suicidal thoughts. A 2023 report found that among social media platforms, children on YouTube are the most likely to experience cyberbullying at 79%, followed by Snapchat (69%), TikTok (64%), and Facebook (49%). Another study showed that children and young adults who experience cyberbullying are more than twice as likely to self-harm and display suicidal behavior.
- Exposure to inappropriate content, such as violence, explicit material, or misinformation, poses a significant risk to their developing minds. A research study showed that more than 50% of tweens (kids ages 10 to 12) have been exposed to inappropriate online content, which can include explicit imagery, violence, cyberbullying, hate speech, and risk-taking challenges.
- The constant pressure to present a curated version of themselves and the fear of missing out can take a toll on kids’ emotional well-being.
The Other Side: Social Media’s Potential Benefits
However, it would be remiss to overlook the potential benefits that social media offers to children.
In an increasingly connected world, these platforms serve as vital channels for communication, education, and socialization.
- Social media allows kids to stay connected with friends and family, fostering a sense of belonging and community. One study found that greater social media use was associated with greater perceived social support and higher bridging social capital (connections across different groups) one year later.
- Many educational institutions and organizations leverage social media to share valuable information, resources, and learning opportunities. According to a survey, 94% of educational institutions use social media, with Facebook (98%), YouTube (83%), and Instagram (78%) being the most popular platforms.
- Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram provide outlets for kids to express themselves creatively and explore their interests.
- Advocacy and Activism: Social media has empowered young voices to raise awareness about important issues and participate in social movements. For instance, social media played a pivotal role in the rapid growth and global reach of the “Fridays for Future” campaign of Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg. Her first school strike outside went viral after she posted about it on Instagram and Twitter. Social media enabled youth from around the world to connect with her cause, join the school strikes in their own communities, and unite under the #FridaysForFuture hashtag. This created a global movement transcending geographical boundaries.
Finding the Balance
As with most things in life, moderation and guidance are key.
‘While the concerns raised by experts and advocates are valid, it is crucial to strike a balance between protecting children and allowing them to reap the benefits of the digital world,’ Oliver says.
He adds: ‘Comprehensive digital literacy education, parental involvement, and age-appropriate content moderation could be effective strategies to mitigate the potential harms while still enabling kids to leverage the positive aspects of social media.’
‘Ultimately, the decision lies with policymakers and society as a whole to navigate this complex issue with wisdom and foresight, ensuring that our children can thrive in the digital age while remaining safe and empowered,’ Oliver says.
About CyberNut
CyberNut is a security awareness training solution built exclusively for schools. CyberNut’s automated campaigns train your school’s faculty, staff, & students to recognize and report the phishing emails and deep fake Al scams that are targeting your school district, making CyberNut the easiest and the most painless security awareness training solution to implement and manage for school IT departments. Oliver Page is the CEO.
Methodology
Studies linking cyberbullying to the mental health of children were taken from the National Library of Medicine and A Place of Hope.
The data on cyberbullying in social media platforms came from A Place of Hope.
The study linking cyberbullying to self-harm and self-suicidal behavior came from Mass General Brigham McLean Hospital.
The study linking social media and children’s exposure to inappropriate content was taken from Soyomo.US.
The study linking social media use and social support as well as capital came from the Child Psychiatry and Human Development Journal.
The study on educational institutions using social media to spread and promote valuable content was taken from Sprout Social.
If you would like to use this story, please give a direct link to CyberNut, who provided this information. This allows us to continue creating stories you may find useful.
This information was brought to us by CyberNut
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
