Nebraska Proposes Parental Consent for Social Media

In a significant move to address concerns over the impact of smartphones and social media on young people's mental health, the UK government has commissioned a research project involving multiple universities. This initiative, led by the University of Cambridge, seeks to identify effective research methods to explore causal relationships between digital media use and the wellbeing of children and adolescents. Dr. David Zendle emphasized the importance of a nuanced understanding of the evidence, as the project aims to inform policy decisions that protect youth mental health. Concurrently, Nebraska lawmakers are considering legislation requiring parental consent for minors to open social media accounts, aimed at safeguarding children from online risks such as bullying and exposure to harmful content. This proposed Parental Rights in Social Media Act mirrors similar legislation in Florida but is less restrictive, focusing on parental oversight rather than outright bans. Both initiatives highlight growing concerns regarding youth engagement with technology and the need for informed policy interventions.