Beyond TikTok ban: How one state is grappling with teens and scrolling

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The TikTok law that recently sailed through Congress was primarily driven by national security concerns. Left unaddressed: a wider strategy on social media and teen mental health. 

Federal and state lawmakers face decisions on whether to make tech companies more responsible for safety and well-being issues, or to put that onus on parents and guardians.

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Teens and officials recognize social media can have both positive and harmful effects on mental health. New York state is seeking a middle ground on finding solutions.

New York is becoming a testing ground for how public officials are trying to help address rising concerns about the effects of unchecked digital immersion on young people’s development. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration sued five social media companies earlier this year for “fueling” a youth mental health crisis. Meanwhile, the New York state Legislature is considering bills that could rein in the interactions social media platforms can have with minors – either by restricting corporations or by empowering parents and children.

Grace Jung, a high school sophomore, acknowledges that, alongside homework, time on her phone plays a pretty big part in keeping her up at night. “Every time I try turning it off, there’s another app that’s trying to get me on it,” she says.

Will American teens lose their access to TikTok? Should they?

A new law that could ban the video app – a platform especially popular with youth – unless it is sold by Chinese owner ByteDance, moves the former question closer to an answer. But the latter remains less clear.

Public officials are increasingly concerned about teenage screen time and social media use. And, though with mixed feelings, teens are, too.

Why We Wrote This

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Teens and officials recognize social media can have both positive and harmful effects on mental health. New York state is seeking a middle ground on finding solutions.

Grace Jung is one of them. The high school sophomore readily acknowledges that, alongside homework, time on her phone plays a pretty big part in keeping her up at night. “Every time I try turning it off, there’s another app that’s trying to get me on it,” she says.

At her New York City school, “confessions” groups are making a comeback. Classmates have been posting anonymously on Facebook and Instagram with jabs and observations about how their peers look, who they’re friends with, the latest rumors. Grace cites one friend who’s suffered as a result of comments about her online.

“This could have been avoided or regulated in the first place, so she wouldn’t have to go through this in real life,” she says. “I feel like people always have to walk on eggshells.”



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