Pamela Paul, The New York Times ; A Warning on Social Media Is the Very Least We Can Do
"You’re in the middle of a public health emergency involving a dangerously addictive substance — let’s say an epidemic of fentanyl or vaping among teens. Which of the following is the best response?
1. Issue a warning. Tell everyone, “Hey, watch out — this stuff isn’t good for you.”
2. Regulate the dangerous substance so that it causes the least amount of harm.
3. Ban the substance and penalize anyone who distributes it...
Other objections to regulation are that it’s difficult to carry out (so are many things) and that there’s only a correlative link between social media and adverse mental health rather than one of causation.
Complacency is easy. The hard truth is that many people are too addicted to social media themselves to fight for laws that would unstick their kids. Big Tech, with Congress in its pocket, is only too happy for everyone to keep their heads in the sand and reap the benefits. But a combination of Options 2 and 3 are the only ones that will bring real results."
