DETROIT – Michigan lawmakers are moving quickly on a bill that would require teens to verify their age before signing up for social media accounts.
The bill also sets a usage curfew for minors and gives parents access to their children’s accounts, including tools to limit daily screen time.
Lawmakers say it’s currently too easy for teens to bypass age restrictions on social media platforms.
Parental permission will be required under the bill, as minors cannot legally consent on their own.
The National Center for Health Research reports that 35% of teens are on social media “almost constantly,” and 54% find it difficult to quit.
The U.S. Surgeon General warns that kids who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of depression and anxiety.
On average, teens spend 3.5 hours daily on social media, and 46% say it negatively affects their body image.
To break down the new bill, State Rep. Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills, who is also sponsoring a House bill to ban cell phones in schools during instructional hours, spoke about the legislation.
You can watch the full interview at the beginning of this article.