How Effective are State Laws Regulating Adolescent Social Media Use?

More than half of U.S. states have passed legislation aimed at regulating adolescent social media use. However, a study published in The Milbank Quarterly highlights that these policies—such as restrictions on cell phone use in schools and laws against cyberbullying—face notable shortcomings. The research also outlines key areas for further study to support the development of more effective solutions.

Responding to Emerging Risks Without Definitive Evidence

Since clear evidence about the long-term effects of social media may take years to develop, and the lack of regulation could lead to preventable public harm, policymakers must create social media regulations based on incomplete information.

In their analysis of these policies, researchers at Columbia University highlighted three key concerns often cited by state lawmakers regarding the impact of social media on adolescents: mental health issues, exposure to harmful content, and developmental risks.

While the researchers did find some support for associations between social media use and negative outcomes—especially among vulnerable youth—the overall body of research does not yet provide conclusive evidence of cause and effect.

Setting Research Priorities

The researchers emphasize the need for future studies to focus on more precisely identifying various types of social media exposure and user experiences, examining the connections between social media use and psychiatric symptoms, and assessing the effectiveness of different state-level social media regulations.

“We’re seeing a growing sense of urgency among policymakers to shield youth from the potential harms of social media and digital technologies,” said lead author and doctoral student Marco Thimm-Kaiser.

“As technology continues to advance quickly, it’s essential that protective policies for young people are grounded in solid scientific evidence, while also maintaining a careful balance between comprehensive evaluation and prompt action,” added senior author Katherine Keyes, Ph.D.

Read the original article on:Phys.org

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