Oklahoma senators this week discussed regulations on social media to protect children online.
The Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee heard multiple presentations during the the interim study about the dangers of social media for children, including presentations from psychologists, law enforcement and youth services groups.
“Hopefully we can have some policy move forward and on something that will protect our children and vulnerable that’s subject to the marketing practices that we’re seeing and redeveloped by social media companies,” said Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, committee chairman.
Stoni Fortney, a licensed psychologist at Moore Autism Center, said social media can bring benefits to children, such as resiliency and a greater ability to respond to negativity and conflict. However, she told lawmakers that it can encourage unhealthy behaviors like eating disorders.
She said teenagers are often online for hours at a time because of a fear of missing out.
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