Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt introduced legislation Wednesday to ban social media accounts for children under 16.
LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) – Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt introduced legislation Wednesday to ban social media accounts for children under 16.
Senate Bill 996 would prohibit social media platforms from providing accounts to minors under the age of 16. The legislation would allow accounts to be created for teenagers ages 16 to 18 with parental consent.
“Study after study confirms what every parent already knows to be true — social media is a threat to the mental and physical health of our children,” Nesbitt said.
He cited anxiety, sleep loss, depression, body image, eating disorders, self-harm and suicide as concerns linked to social media use among children.
“Unlike some epidemics, we know exactly how to stop this one,” Nesbitt said. “But the big question is whether lawmakers have the guts to do so. I do — I’m willing to fight for our kids.”
Nesbitt, who is running for governor this year, compared the proposed restrictions to existing laws limiting minors’ access to alcohol and tobacco.
“We have a long history of laws restricting access to substances like alcohol and tobacco because we know kids aren’t ready to handle their harmful, addictive properties — and it’s time to start treating social media like the drug that it is,” Nesbitt said.
The bill has to pass the Michigan House and Senate before it could go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature or veto.
