US lawmakers are rushing to regulate teen social media use – but new research warns the science behind these laws is shaky – raising concerns about policy making outpacing evidence.
In more than half of US states, lawmakers have introduced over 50 bills aimed at regulating teen social media use – but is the science behind them solid?
A new study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health questions whether well-meaning bans on social media for younger users are actually backed by solid evidence.
Lead researcher Katherine Keyes said, “Our research shows that the evidence base underlying social media policies continues to have serious gaps… so that we can inform the most effective policies.”
Science trails lawmaking pace
The study split the policies into two categories – platform-based mandates, like bans targeting ads and apps themselves – and user- or school-based mandates, such as school cell phone bans and parental control laws.
High-profile bills in Utah and Arkansas, for example, restrict targeted advertising and illicit data sharing with minors.
Another complication flagged by the researchers: platforms evolve quickly, making it tricky to draw consistent correlations between user behavior and app design.
User experiences are also highly individualized, so unless researchers are able to study them in similar environments, drawing strong conclusions remains a challenge.
Tech data stays hidden
Private companies aren’t always transparent about releasing data either. Platforms like Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat tend to guard their algorithms, user engagement metrics, and internal research as trade secrets.
The paper calls for more granular research into types of social media experiences, arguing that more precise data would offer scientists and policymakers a sturdier foundation.
Narrowing in on more vulnerable groups would also help compartmentalize the needs for withdrawal or policy shifts. Not every teen is at risk – and most use social media responsibly.
“It will be vital for policymakers to remain open to reevaluating and refining the emerging policy interventions to ensure we are getting the response right,” offered co-author Marco Thimm-Kaiser.
It seems policymakers are caught between the pressure for fast action from schools, parents, and media - and the scientific need for slow, rigorous research.
The researchers make it clear: social media use should be treated as a public health issue, not a hasty moral panic.
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