By: Burt Jones and Jason Anavitarte
We are both parents, and we’ve seen firsthand the pressure our children and their friends are under at school and in their social lives. Those challenges have been magnified by excessive social media use, which, for some children, has replaced healthy habits such as exercise and sleep. Experts and advocates from across the political spectrum, including the surgeon general, have argued that social media use has also exacerbated the teenage mental health crisis. Policymakers must prioritize solutions for our children, and the Georgia Senate is committed to leading the way.
Much like driving, access to cellphones and social media has become part of the rites of adolescence, and that’s here to stay. But teenagers are still children.
Social media touches every part of our daily lives, and while it certainly has its benefits, the possible negative effects it has on our children cannot be dismissed. When addressing mental health concerns, policymakers must do more to ensure that parents and schools have the proper tools for teaching responsible use of social media and addressing bad behavior when it occurs.