Both here in Jersey and nationally there are increasing calls for requiring parental consent for kids on social media. I appreciate the sentiment, but as 2024 approaches age-gating social media now seems like closing the door after the horse is out of the barn.
The evidence of TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord and all the rest negatively affecting the mental health of our kids is piling up. The evidence is so compelling that in some cases the social media giants are asking to be regulated, provided they be heavily involved in the process, of course. Instagram has recently been running ads suggesting as much and expressing their willingness to work hand-in-hand with congress to address the issues like skyrocketing teen depression.