Why Letting Social Media Giants Safeguard Kids is a Dangerous Game
**Social media behemoths like Facebook and TikTok are under fire for their troubling impacts on child welfare**, and families in Ohio are bearing the weight of this escalating crisis. With **mental health issues surging**, **internet addiction at an all-time high**, and **children facing unprecedented exposure to cyberbullying**, concerned parents have reached their breaking point. **It’s high time we demanded accountability from these platforms.**
Ohio parents are rallying behind the cause: **a staggering 87%** of respondents endorse regulation to shield children from harmful online interactions. **Over 90%** want these tech giants to take responsibility for safeguarding young users, while a notable **88%** endorse the mandatory use of age-verification technology to block minors from harmful content. Yet, rather than stepping up, **Big Tech hides behind a curtain of lobbying and misleading tactics**, evading the accountability they owe to our children.
The Illusion of Facebook’s ‘Teen Accounts’
Facebook recently launched a **“Teen Accounts”** initiative, claiming it would filter out adult content to enhance safety for minors. However, consumer rights advocates quickly pointed out that this change **falls woefully short**. While the technology can identify underage users, it raises the alarming prospect that Facebook might instead exploit this data to target **impressionable young users with ads**.
Adding to the confusion, Facebook has formed alliances with TikTok and **major pornography companies** to push a self-serving legislative plan through the Ohio Statehouse aimed at **age verification in app stores**. While this may sound appealing, a closer inspection reveals that this legislation does little to protect our children. It fails to restrict access to dangerous websites via browsers and, more concerning, requires app stores to share **sensitive user data** with social media companies—an unbelievably risky move.
Such legislation empowers companies to continue profiting from young users while **evading real responsibility**. This strategy demonstrates how Facebook and its counterparts are willing to spend millions on **advertising and lobbying** just to safeguard their interests rather than looking out for the welfare of children.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Change
Fortunately, there is a **better way forward**—one that prioritizes children over corporate profits. Several states have already enacted progressive measures. For instance, **Florida** has implemented educational programs to inform students about online dangers, while **Utah** has launched state-wide campaigns to assist families in navigating the complexities of the internet. Moreover, over a dozen states are compelling pornography sites to **block minors** using effective verification methods.
Similar legal frameworks could be established for social media companies. Instead of merely identifying minors for ad targeting, legislation could compel platforms like Facebook to redirect their technology towards **keeping kids safe from predators**.
**Let’s set the record straight: it is utterly nonsensical to permit those who profit from exploiting children to dictate the terms of their safety.** Ohio lawmakers must lead the charge to establish a system that genuinely protects children instead of granting more control to **Big Tech**.
Melissa Powers is a former Hamilton County prosecutor and juvenile court judge.
