Republicans and Democrats Agree: Social Media Harms Kids
Senate considers raising legal age of social media use to 16
On February 14, 2023, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) made statements about the lack of regulation of social media and other risks it poses to young children.
U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL)
“The online world offers tremendous opportunities and benefits. But, it is a serious risk and danger to our kids. In almost every aspect of the real world, child safety is a top priority. We lock the door and teach our kids not to talk to strangers. But in the virtual world, criminals and bullies don’t need to pick a lock or wait outside the playground to hurt our kids. They only have to lurk in the shadows online of Facebook and Snapchat. In those shadows, they can bully, intimidate, addict, or sexually exploit our kids, right in our own homes.” – Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin
Senate Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)
“The American consumer is virtually unprotected from the abuses of social media. Of all Americans, I think, young people are the most exposed here. Parents feel helpless. There is somebody affecting your kids that you will never see, and a lot of times it’s a machine. Who is watching the machine, if at all?” – Senator Lindsey Graham
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
“Big Tech has relentlessly, ruthlessly pumped up profits by purposefully exploiting kids’ and parents’ pain.” – Senator Richard Blumenthal
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
“It is almost as if these social media platforms are operating in the ways of the wild west, and anything goes. When these children are on the platforms, they are the product.” – Senator Marsha Blackburn
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Kids from Social Media Addiction, Harm, and Abuse
On February 14, 2022, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, jointly introduced the “Kids Online Safety Act.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn (R) TN
“You have broken these children’s lives and you have broken these parents’ hearts. . .Have some empathy and take some responsibility” – Senator Marsha Blackburn
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) MN
“Our kids aren’t cash-cows.” – Senator Amy Klobuchar
Senator Maria Cantwell (D) WA
“A 14-year-old girl was groomed by adults on Instagram and ultimately lured into sex trafficking and taken across state lines for prostitution. Under Instagram’s terms of service, Instagram can argue that the child’s only recourse for its failure to provide a safe platform would be an arbitration with no open court, no judge, not jury, no appeal.” – Senator Maria Cantwell
Senator Mike Lee (R) UT
“Why are you recommending that a 13-year-old girl follow a site with the understanding that by doing so you are exposing that girl to all sorts of other things that are not suitable for any child?” – Senator Mike Lee