abcnews.go.com
MAMA Fights Back Against Social Media's Impact on Children
Julie Scelfo founded Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) to combat the negative effects of social media on children; the group has 28 chapters in 17 states and advocates for safer technology and phone-free schools, citing Australia's social media ban for children under 16 as a positive example.
- What are the primary concerns driving the formation of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) and its rapid expansion?
- MAMA, a group founded by Julie Scelfo, addresses growing parental concerns about children's social media use. The organization, with 28 chapters across 17 states, aims to educate parents, advocate for phone-free school days, and push for safer technology regulations.
- What long-term societal changes are needed to mitigate the negative impacts of technology on children's development and well-being?
- Australia's recent ban on social media for under-16s shifts responsibility to tech platforms, reflecting a growing global concern over the lack of social media regulation. MAMA advocates for similar regulations in the US, arguing that social media companies should prioritize child safety, similar to other consumer product industries.
- How does the Australian social media ban exemplify a potential solution to the challenges posed by social media's impact on children?
- Parents express significant stress over technology's pervasiveness in their children's lives, citing social pressure for early phone access and prevalent technology use in schools. This is exacerbated by social media companies' practices, which exploit children's emotions for profit through algorithms.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue as a crisis demanding immediate action, emphasizing the negative impacts of social media on children's mental health. The headline, while not explicitly stated, implies that social media is a significant threat to children's well-being. This framing, while understandable given the focus on parental concerns, predisposes the reader towards accepting the need for regulation without fully considering other aspects of the issue. The repeated use of terms like "crisis", "exploitation", and "addiction" reinforces this negative framing.
Language Bias
The article uses charged language such as "relentlessly target", "exploit", "unconscionable", and "robbed of their lives." These terms evoke strong negative emotions and pre-judge the actions of social media companies. More neutral alternatives might include 'actively market to', 'influence', 'significant concern', and 'negatively impacted'. The repetitive use of "Big Tech" as a monolithic entity also contributes to a negative and accusatory tone.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative impacts of social media on children, but omits discussion of potential benefits or positive uses of technology for educational or social purposes. It also doesn't explore alternative viewpoints on the appropriate age for social media use or the effectiveness of different regulatory approaches. While acknowledging the complexities of the issue, the article does not present a balanced range of perspectives, leaving the reader with a potentially one-sided view.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between completely restricting social media access for children and allowing unfettered access. It does not explore alternative, nuanced approaches to regulating social media use, such as age-appropriate restrictions, parental controls, or media literacy education. This framing simplifies a complex issue, potentially limiting the reader's understanding of viable solutions.
Gender Bias
The article primarily features the perspective of Julie Scelfo, the founder of MAMA, a women-led organization. While this is not inherently biased, it might unintentionally reinforce gender stereotypes about motherhood and concerns related to children's safety. The article doesn't specifically address the gendered aspects of social media use or its impact on girls versus boys, which could be a relevant consideration.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health, including increased anxiety, depression, and suicide risks. The excessive screen time displaces real-world experiences crucial for healthy development. The connection to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) is direct, as the article focuses on the detrimental effects of technology on children's well-being.