New Era of Social Media and Smartphone Laws: What’s Changing?

Web3, AI and the creator economy in under 3 minutes per week!

Hey, Alpha fam! I hope you’re having a great summer and getting some time to disconnect. Speaking of which, let’s discuss a big subject on everyone’s minds.

________________________________________

Amid growing concerns about social media's impact on teen mental health, it's clear we need more laws to protect our kids. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently called for warning labels on social media similar to those on cigarettes and alcohol. His warning is based on research showing teens using social media for more than three hours a day have double the risk of mental health problems.

Experts like Emily Hemendinger, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, agree that while warning labels are a good start, they aren't enough.

Studies show that too much social media can hurt self-esteem, body image, and mental health. Toxic beauty standards online lead to body dissatisfaction, unhealthy eating habits, and even eating disorders. 

The pandemic has only made things worse, with more kids spending time online.

In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed laws to protect children from social media's negative effects. These laws let parents limit their kids' exposure to harmful content and restrict the use of minors' personal data. Critics worry about free speech and privacy, but the need to protect young people's mental health is urgent.

Here is an example of two teens who are currently navigating adolescence without social media and the challenges and rewards it brings. Despite feeling isolated at times, they value freedom from online pressures.

In Georgia, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones introduced Senate Bill 351, the "Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act of 2024," on January 12. The bill aims to address social media's impact on children's mental health by requiring platforms to implement age verification measures and mandating the Georgia Department of Education to develop and update social media safety programs for students.

Nonprofits, including Half The Story, are bringing their results-driven digital wellness programs to schools across the country. In the future, emotional intelligence and social media use classes will be just as common as math and history. 

There’s also an overall trend toward flip phones vs. smartphones, highlighted by the launch and popularity of companies like Light Phone and the classic Nokia flip phones. Many people are ditching their smartphones for basic flip phones to escape the endless distractions of social media. Sales of flip phones are skyrocketing!

Even Jerry Seinfeld's son boasted about his simplified phone on social media recently upon graduation.

Flip Phone February might soon transition to the norm. Jonathan Haidt, author of “The Anxious Generation,” is even advocating for Phone Free Fridays over the summer, encouraging Gen-Zers to go without a phone at least one day every week.

Our future society might be a mix of those who like to be overly connected and those who have decided to opt out of the system.

🔥 My Hot Take: Social media and smartphone use are affecting everyone globally. Relying solely on government regulations isn't enough. We need a multi-pronged approach that includes changing our behaviors at home, modifying environmental and social practices (from schools to company culture), and evolving societal standards.

Shira Lazar

Other headlines to check out:

Web3

Creator Economy 

AI

Where to find me next 👀

Vidcon - June 26- 29th

VidCon is an annual convention for online video creators, fans, and industry professionals. Founded by Hank and John Green in 2010, it features panels, workshops, meet-and-greets, and performances. The event allows attendees to learn from industry leaders, network with peers, and engage with favorite creators, making it a key hub for the digital video industry.

Here is my speaking schedule for the event:

June 27, 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

The Sorry Girls: Building a Media Company for Long-Term Success

BALLROOM D

June 28, 4:20 – 4:55

The Beginning of the Middle: Looking Ahead with Early Architects of the Creator Economy

INDUSTRY MAINSTAGE, BALLROOM AB

Find more information and how to get your tickets HERE.

I’m Bullish On… 💪

Women in AI: Anika Collier Navaroli is working to shift the power imbalance

Anika Collier Navaroli, a senior fellow at Columbia University's Tow Center for Digital Journalism, advocates for ethical AI and tech inclusivity. With experience at Twitter and Twitch, she highlights AI's impact on marginalized communities and stresses the need for diverse perspectives and external regulation. Navaroli is committed to training the next generation in responsible AI development.

Gentle reminder 🤲 

It's remarkable how when something suddenly takes a turn for the worse, everything else that once seemed difficult becomes easier by comparison.

The lesson? It’s all about perspective.

Remember, I'm Bullish on you!

With gratitude,