At Commerce Hearing, Schatz Underscores Need To Protect Kids From Addictive Algorithms On Social Media, Calls For Cellphone Ban In Schools

WASHINGTON - During a hearing on screen time in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) highlighted the negative impacts of addictive social media algorithms on children and the need to ban algorithmic targeting for kids who are still developing. Schatz's bipartisan legislation, the Kids Off Social Media Act, bans algorithmic targeting for children under 17, in addition to setting a minimum age of 13 for social media use.

"I'm quite skeptical of this model in which the social media platforms give you the opportunity to either tweak the algorithm or turn off the algorithm - no one's going to do that. I think banning the algorithmic feed for kids who are not yet fully developed is a is a very powerful tool," said Senator Schatz.

Schatz also called for a bell-to-bell ban on phones in schools, noting that phones distract students from learning and socializing with their peers.

"I think we should have a bell-to-bell ban," said Senator Schatz. "Social media is particularly terrible for children. But having all the world's information in your phone is probably not a great way to lock in when it comes to learning algebra or American history. And so putting the damn thing away and making sure that no other kid has access to it is absolutely essential."

A video of Senator Schatz's remarks and exchange with witnesses is available here.

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