Help ban algorithmic social media platforms from teenagers and protect their mental health.
Help ban algorithmic social media platforms from teenagers and protect their mental health.
Sign the Petition
As a young person myself, it is incredibly painful to watch my generation fall into shambles due to the influence of algorithmic social media. I've witnessed friends partake in dangerous trends, perpetuated by platforms designed to capture and hold the attention of its users at any cost. These platforms often present low-quality content that can be created by people as young as five years old, yet their impact is anything but juvenile. This consistent exposure is detrimental, leading to severe mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and addiction. We need to take immediate action to put an end to what can only be described as digital narcotics.
Currently, over 95% of teenagers have access to a smartphone, and more than 45% say they are constantly online. The algorithmic nature of these platforms, which learn users' behaviors and preferences to keep them engaged, can easily turn into a trap that young minds may struggle to escape. The sense of obligation to stay connected and the fear of missing out only intensify the addictive nature of social media, ultimately impacting their emotional and psychological development.
To combat this, we propose a prohibition on the use of algorithmic social media platforms by individuals under the age of 18. This restriction is intended to provide a safe environment for our youth, free from the pressures and potentially harmful content that these algorithms perpetuate. Instead, we should encourage alternative digital spaces that foster learning, creativity, and genuine human interaction. For example, safer social media sites that don't implement engaging algorithms, like Mastodon, Lemmy, PeerTube, and many other federated platforms.
By implementing this ban, we are not trying to isolate youth from the harm of social media, but teach them to make responsible choices, and have fulfilling and healthy digital lives. This is not implementing that we should ban technology from teenagers, quite the opposite actually. Teach them to protect themselves and lead healthy digital lives, such as I have taught myself.
Sign this petition to demand stricter regulations on algorithmic social media access for minors and help us take the first step towards a safer, more mindful digital age.
Petition Link:
What's the plan for enforcement of the ban?
There is not much plan on that yet. The point of these petitions is to attract attention, for example, from governments, to show them that there are a lot of people who care about something. Also to help spread awareness of the matter. With all the age verification stuff going around, something like this is very possible. What I'm trying to do right now is simply gather any signatures so change.org would promote my petition, again, to spread awareness.
That part is my biggest concern. Every attempt to age gate the internet so far only leads to gross privacy invasions or junk science.
As someone who hasn't been a teenager for a long time, there is no way I'm handing over my ID to social media sites.