Banning children from social media?

Australia has taken a drastic step, passing a law (and apparently enforcing it) to prevent people under age 16 from using social media. Now, even more are arguing that DC needs to also enact such a law. For the entire Fifty States and territories.

Not much has been published about this in the past six or so weeks, or since the new regime started taking over DC. But it has been reported that twelve States so far have restricted teen access to social media and many more have seen legislation introduced to do so. Three States’ legislation have been blocked by courts. The most recent (reported on WTVR-TV) is Virginia, where lawmakers have passed a bill limiting social media use for those under age 16.

We can understand the desire to protect young people – although 14 and 15 year olds are hardly “children” (except legally) in most countries. (No, they are not fully developed mentally or physically, but they are generally more than capable of identifying right from wrong. Regardless of upbringing.) And we certainly comprehend the emotional and social dangers that social media presents. And how it can sometimes lead to physical threats, both from predators and cruel peers.

But such bans rarely work as intended. Censorship is censorship – even when it is applied to older “children.” Yes, there are parents who are very poor parents: every week we see where a mother or a father has been found abusing their children, or even killing them or allowing them to be killed. But horrific as this is, and no matter how many laws have been passed (and enforced) by American governments, it does not end.

Curbing the abuse of social media, like so much else in childhood and adolescence, is clearly the purview of the parents of the children – either natural or in loco parentis. If there is a problem with it, it is the parents that need to be disciplined: first taught to properly care for their children and raise them right. And second, to hold them accountable for what the children they are responsible for do something harmful.

In this crummy society and insane government atmosphere we “enjoy” today, that is of course impossible. And usually vorbotten as well. Parents are supposed to let the government control their kids – protect them from all hazards, avoid all risks. And let the schools (which are generally only part of governments) teach them everything: manners, right-from-wrong, responsibilities, and everything that moral and rational societies think are the duties of the parents.

What is more disgusting is that so many parents were raised themselves in a warped society in which government more and more controlled and dictated everything. And therefore they do not comprehend their responsibilities to the children they bring into this world. And therefore, they believe it is normal, right, and proper to let schools and government care for their children. Tell them what to do and not do, punish them, and more. While government (“democratically”) takes away parental powers (wrongly called “rights”) to discipline, teach, and when necessary chastise and punish their offspring.

So we have at least two reasons why banning children from social media is a stupid idea that will only add to the miseries and burdens of modern life. Here in the States, and in every other country.

An addendum, courtesy of a correspondent in Colorado:

Minors on Social Media: Colorado SB25-086, among other things, requires social media companies to submit detailed user reports to state government. Government has no proper business demanding such information from private companies. I think it’s okay for government to require social media companies to clearly post their policies. I’m not sure what government’s role should be (if any) in enforcing policies regarding minor users. Jon Caldara (Independence Institute and talk show host) suggests leaning on parents to set and enforce internet use rules.

We at TPOL do not see either of these actions as acceptable for government to do. Customers – or parents of customers in the case of minors – should be the ones to require the companies they do business with both to post their policies and to enforce their policies. (And for that matter, to demand that the social media companies have policies that make sense and protect their children. And even themselves. Social media bullying does not just target minors.) And when it comes to “leaning on parents” – just who does the leaning?

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