Ga. Senate Bill proposal to ban kids and pre-teens use of social media

ALBANY, Ga. – Social media is a constant presence in our lives but the state of Georgia is trying to limit that to kids and pre-teens.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche talks about the impact a potential bill might have.

Across the State of Georgia, kids like the ones who attend Northside Elementary School in Albany may be spending more time off their phones if a new bill passes in the state Senate.

Senate Bill 165 would prohibit kids under the age of 14 from being able to create social media accounts on major platforms and delete existing accounts for those under the age.

We spoke with Behavioral Analyst, Dr. Katrina Wilburn-Beckhom about the current negative impact social media can have on kids.

“There’s a lot of images and information, sometimes some extreme exposure to things in social media that can lend itself to causing some of our young people to perhaps judge their body images, to, you know, feel peer pressure,” said Dr. Katrina Wilburn-Beckhom, Director, Behavioral Consulting, LLC.

Plenty of people we spoke to agree that social media can have a devastating impact on kids.

It’s why people like local barber, Brandon Bracy are in favor of the bill.

“I have four girls myself that are under the age of 14, 10, 7 and twins who are 3. So, I actually think social media creates a false sense of reality of how behind the camera I’m all for it,” said Brandon Bracy, owner, Optimum Barber Shop.

And, overall, many believe that keeping kids and pre-teens off social media will do a lot of good for their mental health.

“I think that it will promote parents supervising access to social media more carefully and having those conversations with young people if they do decide to allow them to utilize it,” said Dr. Wilburn-Beckhom.

“Because a lot of kids get bullied on social media and they try to keep up with trends and stuff. So, they wouldn’t have to worry about it if they’re not even on social media,” said Chris Kearson, resident, Albany.

While the bill has only been introduced to the Georgia Senate, it’s clear there’s a goal to improve mental health in kids.

The current version of the bill will allow for 14 and 15-year-olds to sign up for social under parental approval.

Brian Roche reporting.

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