Vermont’s Attorney General TJ Donovan has launched an investigation against social media platform Instagram.A bipartisan coalition, including attorney generals from seven other states, believe the social media platform’s parent company Meta knowingly violated laws that put young people at risk.”The harm that really we’re talking about are those mental health impacts,” Donovan said. “Anxiety, depression, self-harm.”Recent reports revealed that Meta’s own internal research showed that using Instagram is associated with increased physical and mental health risks.The investigation is in its early stages. Donovan said they plan to analyze techniques used by Meta to increase how often young users are on their site and the resulting harms it has.”We’re going to examine whether or not the company violated state consumer protection laws and put young people at risk,” Donovan said.Back in May, the attorney general was also the co-lead on a coalition trying to stop “Instagram Kids” from launching. The launch was paused, but the Donovan said he wants to see its production canceled altogether.Child psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Rosenfeld from The University of Vermont Medical Center and Larner College of Medicine said that he sees plenty of families trying to navigate issues surrounding social media and device usage. “A lot of families are struggling with what to do and how to keep pace with social media in relation to their kids,” Andrew Rosenfeld, M.D., said. “We see a diversity of impacts, so it is something we have learned to ask about as frequent as possible.”Dr. Rosenfeld said there are benefits to social media, many of which have been amplified over the pandemic. For parents interested in tips on managing their children’s social media, Dr. Rosenfeld recommends heading over to the American Academy of Pediatrics website, and reading more on their “Family Media Plan.” If your child’s issues related to social media usage seem unmanageable or severe, it is recommended that you reach out to your pediatrician or appropriate emergency services.
Vermont’s Attorney General TJ Donovan has launched an investigation against social media platform Instagram.
A bipartisan coalition, including attorney generals from seven other states, believe the social media platform’s parent company Meta knowingly violated laws that put young people at risk.
Advertisement
“The harm that really we’re talking about are those mental health impacts,” Donovan said. “Anxiety, depression, self-harm.”
Recent reports revealed that Meta’s own internal research showed that using Instagram is associated with increased physical and mental health risks.
The investigation is in its early stages. Donovan said they plan to analyze techniques used by Meta to increase how often young users are on their site and the resulting harms it has.
“We’re going to examine whether or not the company violated state consumer protection laws and put young people at risk,” Donovan said.
Back in May, the attorney general was also the co-lead on a coalition trying to stop “Instagram Kids” from launching. The launch was paused, but the Donovan said he wants to see its production canceled altogether.
Child psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Rosenfeld from The University of Vermont Medical Center and Larner College of Medicine said that he sees plenty of families trying to navigate issues surrounding social media and device usage.
“A lot of families are struggling with what to do and how to keep pace with social media in relation to their kids,” Andrew Rosenfeld, M.D., said. “We see a diversity of impacts, so it is something we have learned to ask about as frequent as possible.”
Dr. Rosenfeld said there are benefits to social media, many of which have been amplified over the pandemic.
For parents interested in tips on managing their children’s social media, Dr. Rosenfeld recommends heading over to the American Academy of Pediatrics website, and reading more on their “Family Media Plan.”
If your child’s issues related to social media usage seem unmanageable or severe, it is recommended that you reach out to your pediatrician or appropriate emergency services.
