To learn more about the problems residents have encountered regarding the negative effects of social media on kids, the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office announced that it will host three town hall meetings across the state this month.
The town hall meetings come as Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is leading a 50-state coalition in putting together a case investigating certain Big Tech companies. Skremtti told The Tennessee Star Report with Michael Patrick Leahy that these town hall meetings will focus on “the effects of social media on kids and the mental health impact of social media on teenagers.”
“Social media platforms hurt kids with products designed to be addictive and recommended content that exacerbates depression and self-harm,” Attorney General Skrmetti said in a statement. “Tennessee is proud to be a leader in pursuing transparency and accountability for social media companies. We look forward to hearing from Tennesseans across the state about how social media is affecting kids.”
The attorney general’s office will hold the following town hall meetings this month:
- Thursday, March 2nd at Rossview Middle School in Clarksville
- Thursday, March 9th at the Southwest Tennessee Development District in Jackson
- Monday, March 27th at the Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts in Chattanooga
All three town hall meetings will be open to the public and media and begin at 6 p.m. Central Time.
Concerns surrounding the impact social media has on children and teenagers are also being addressed at the federal level.
In February, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced legislation that would bar social media companies from offering accounts to children under 16. Using government-issued ID, Hawley’s “MATURE Act” would require social media platforms to verify that users are 16 or older and prohibit social media companies from opening accounts for children under 16. In addition, under Hawley’s bill, parents of children under 16 would be able to sue social media platforms for damages if they allow their children to open an account on the platform.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Jonathan Skrmetti” by Tennessee Attorney General. Background Photo “Child Using a Phone” by Gaelle Marcel.
I am amazed at what this AG is accomplishing in comparison to the last one. Just validates my frustration with Slatery.
How about the Government Overreach Party’s (G.O.P.) impact on children and their parents? So much for family values!!!!!!!