Suing Social Media: Families say social media algorithms put their kids in danger | 60 Minutes

[@CitrusandWinston]

Deleting all these apps has never made me feel so free of my life.

[@monickalynn4365]

Same here.

[@someguy2135]

Parents should consider giving their kids phones that can't access the internet.

[@dihe1392]

100% right

[@ktiyw2685]

As a parent of a pre-teen it is unbelievably hard raising healthy kids in this time. Before I had my son, I would’ve sadly placed blame on the parents…. Kids get picked on terribly by their peers if you are raising children that are more sheltered/ protected… it’s hard.

[@goddessofpeacelove5341]

I agree with you wholeheartedly

[@jonbanks653]

At least you are woman enough to admit something that you learned about yourself and are open minded about it. My son used to get teased because he was "sheltered". Am glad that time has passed

[@ktiyw2685]

I am so happy that time has passed for your child. All we want are happy and well-rounded children. Children that will treat themselves well and treat their community members with respect!

[@OnyoMeji]

It is hard, but it has always been hard, and it will always be hard.... its called life, and parenting, and it sucks. There is nothing new under the sun. It is your job as a parent to connect to your kids, and instill in them values that will, protect them from society's BS. Bullies have always existed, and there are individuals that stand up to them. Encourage your kids to stand up to their bullies, and always backup them up when they do. If they are scared, encourage them to be brave, even if you are not. Kids usually take their cues from their parents.

[@ktiyw2685]

Yes I agree with you and this is how I parent. Being the rock and support, this is how we parent, however children and this is documented, that they begin to be heavily influenced by peers… we can plant the seeds of love and respect and water them

[@evilscorpio1981]

This is exactly why I never allowed my kids to have a social media account. No kid should have one anyway!!

[@kayla7562]

Exactly! None of this is for kids. I’m sick of seeing little LITTLE kids commenting on KZbin also. It’s sick. I can’t imagine being such a lazy parent, allowing my kids to just hang out with peto files and adults in general on social media.

[@rickmorty5215]

@@kayla7562 Then the same parents blame social media companies for their own failure as parents.

[@quwanteleftwichsr8453]

These days you can’t police a child on their phone. You put parental controls on a Apple phone good luck. Because that doesn’t stop them from going into the Apple Store to get the apps back. You need Internet on a phone to be able to text and call. So good luck giving a child a non working phone. You tell the child not to go online. A child will go online. If you take the phone. They will find someone with a phone and use theirs 🤷🏽‍♂️.

[@Yuri92001]

Oh they probably have one

[@neonnoir9692]

@@quwanteleftwichsr8453 no you don't, dumb phones call and text just fine.

[@MrBucketlist]

This is terrible. I am so glad to have finished high school right when social media took off.

[@jjgangi]

As a parent, you can’t unleash your kids into the jungle and expect them to be safe. It’s been that way for thousands of years. The internet is just a digital jungle. Don’t allow your kids online until they’re old enough to fend for themselves.

[@jemz4555]

Amen!

[@mimim8532]

I don’t have children but at this day and age….soooo difficult

[@jeremym9885]

Agreed but getting hard to do. Teachers and youth leaders all use these platforms as communication tools. Many expect that the youth will use them. That's how it starts. That's how ours started. Child 1 & 2 struggle because they have social media. Child 3 doesn't have any social and struggles because he's out of the loop. Child 4 is heading the same way as 3. There's no middle ground. There's no win.

[@Omni9519]

I think the issue isn’t that parents don’t want to deal to deal with social media, it’s that they don’t know how. They weren’t born in this era of living fully through technology. So they end up trying to teach their kid how to manage surfing the web, and trying to create realistic, safe boundaries, all while they don’t understand what they’re fighting against. It’s a scary thing as a guardian of a living breathing child to know you don’t know how to keep them safe.

[@heidi22209]

ABSOLUTELY!

[@catalinanazal1595]

I am sharing this with every single fellow parent I know. My kids have 7 and 9.. My 9 year old girl told me a month ago that some of her classmates already have phones.. I am devastated and horrified

[@M0n1cki]

I can't imagine the pain - it is an unfathomable pain. Social media is responsible for so much anxiety and depression. It is also responsible for kids dying due to stupid challenges.... so many things. It takes a lot of responsibility and restraint for parents to supervise social media use. Even if you wanna ban your kids from social media... you also don't want them to grow up naïve about it's use and performance. Finding balance is difficult.

[@JoeKyser]

Im sure family dinamics has a lot to do with it. It starts somewhere. Its not like it happens over night. We are talking about long period of times they involved with social media as a child. It is really as easy as saying no to your kids. They can learn to use computers without social media and then navigate those apps just fine. There are plenty of adult things that kids don't need experience with, even if it means they wont be the most experienced at it. Just replace social media with other adult things and think about it. Its not easy being a parent. Im on grand kids now. Its a rinse and repeat process. My kids now have to instill those morals and guidance with their kids. Frankly speaking, they know better. At 10 and 11 we talked about these things. They learned from me instead of on their own. I can imagine how these kids had so much time and resources to get into what they get into. I guarantee the parents were not part of that timeline. They are there now after the damage is done. Now they notice. How many teen issues look just like that without social media being involved? How is that the other kids don't get in the same positions these kids do? Just luck or something else? .

[@Cwgrlup]

Bad parenting is responsible, not social media. Get a clue.

[@TheBasher-_-]

It's really the people themselves. Social media will show u what u want, they search for it. If u just wanna see cars and flowers social media will show u that.

[@rickmorty5215]

You cannot buy them the smartphone, then blame someone else for how the smartphone affects them. There are parental control apps designed to prevent specific downloads. It is your responsibility as a parent to check your underaged teenager's phone, not to respect their privacy. The problem starts when parents want to become their child's friend and want to outsource their parental responsibilities.

[@brendarios4106]

The kid literally says she went behind her parent's back to use IG 🙄

[@pennyforyourthoughts1]

First world problems.

[@tashikoweinstein435]

I have noticed that I am happier when I am not on Social Media like Twitter and Instagram!

[@bluesquirrel3919]

Why'd the parents leave the cell phone in the hall, and not take it into their room?

[@jack.soncalo]

The important thing is Facebook KNOWS about it’s harm to teenagers but simply does not care because it makes them money. That’s all. That’s the biggest problem. They are fully aware.

[@rickmorty5215]

Sure. You buy them the smartphone, then blame someone else for how the smartphone affects them. There are parental control apps designed to prevent specific downloads. It is your responsibility as a parent to check your underaged teenager's phone, not to respect their privacy. Facebook has done nothing wrong.

[@Namefag23]

@@rickmorty5215 redditor

[@CapriceSoulsister67]

This should be required viewing for all parents BEFORE giving their child a phone. For some, it may seem excessive. To parents who have never heard this and are truly listening... a wake up. Good luck everyone.

[@asporner]

Simple solution here. If the issue is being able to reach the child (though I don't know how I survived in the 1970s - 1980s!?) is to just get a simple flip phone. They don't run those apps, but have all the features necessary. Alcatel Go-Flip for instance. If it's about which child has the flashiest phone, the answer might be right in front of them to the problem.

[@courtneymichelle2588]

@@asporner nice point! Only flip phones are aloud to use them only until you reach like 21 or whenever you grow up and are mature enough to be less vulnerable than the young innocent children that they go after. It’s like candy cigarettes that were around as a child. Limits and personal parenting classes that teach people how to check and monitor phones for hidden apps and such!

[@claytondemge2630]

What if I told you sugar is even more addictive and harmful than social media?

[@heidi22209]

You think you can stop them if they don't have a phone? Lol. That's not a reality. Their friends have phones. They have computers. Your going to not give a phone to kid! Lol. Just stop it.

[@asporner]

@@heidi22209 Doesn't sound like you are on a winning streak here. Sure, of course, but they have made it more difficult. Your suggestion seems to invite free-for-all behavior by your dismissing any possible prevention, since they will find a way anyways. We wonder why we have so many problems today.

[@tamarawest6203]

The minimum age to join social media needs to be raised to 18 and full ID provided before signing up.

[@vikkismith7497]

I love 60 minutes, because it brings all the information I normally wouldn't see on the regular News.

[@Maintain_Decorum]

I cry for the Roberts. What loving parents. The world is cheated out of the joy England would have continued to bring to our world. 😥. Her legacy, thanks to her parents, will help countless other children and families.

[@Sonofawildanimal4241]

It’s parents job to make sure their kids don’t smoke cigarettes as well. Social media is just as addictive.

[@MegaSokni]

I see no difference between Meta and a dealer putting in a little Fentanyl to boost their heroin

[@donjindra]

That is ridiculous. You show no judgment ability.

[@donjindra]

@Worst Case Scenario How is the world ruined? I'm doing just fine. Sorry to hear you seem to be having a difficult time.

[@donjindra]

@Worst Case Scenario What case in point? Please explain.

[@pennyforyourthoughts1]

I'm 23 and deleted my social media 7 years ago and I have never felt better. I only have youtube on my phone, no gaming systems. My advice to all kids is you truly don't need it, use it to educate yourself and learn new things instead of scrolling and liking pictures posted for clout.

[@wellschr888]

I have left social networking and feel so much better .

[@firstlast8258]

Hand covers bruise

[@claytondemge2630]

“They designed a product to be addictive” if that’s bad, are we going after alcohol, nicotine, and sugar too?

[@nfbconnect]

If you use dating apps, and you are attracted to psychopaths, you’ll just keep getting one after the other… online dating for trauma victims and child abuse survivors is like blindly walking to your own eventual murderer.

[@floridagirl2122]

Lost my 14 year old son in 2021. I believe social media had a major impact on my young son metal health.

[@zacherymayer4847]

Sorry about your lost.

[@wildlightarts]

Sending hugs to you. I'm so sorry you lost your son. Children and teenagers are challenged with so much now. I hope that you have lots of support to help you grieve and heal.

[@kingofthetrill3586]

Prayers to you and your beloved son. 🕊🤍

[@lovineveryminuetofit1314]

How much time was your kid on the internet? Where were you? Stop blaming anyone but yourselves. Stop buying them ipads and computers, and iphones. Spend more time trying to get closer instead of pushing them away. Truth may hurt, but you know deep Inside I'm right.

[@cariwaldick4898]

The algorithms don't just harm teens. The whole country is so politically polarized, it's leading to violence--due to social media misinformation, conspiracy theories, extreme views, and blatant lies. How many families have been ripped apart because of social media algorithms pandering to people who are already biased?

[@travelinglight4656]

I was just on KZbin today and was watching dance videos. Flash mobs and other fun, good energy videos. All of a sudden a video from a channel named "Sadam" shows a man and woman hung, dangling dead, while people, women, men, beating them. WTF! I have been messed up all day and just an hour ago wanted to see if I could sue youtube. I can only imagine a child seeing that. How horrible!

[@firstlast8258]

You should if you have the money 💰

[@dawnbolton6024]

We are living in a sick world. Live simple.

[@quwanteleftwichsr8453]

I’ve said this before. Why can’t the internet put a stop to kids being online. There should be a age limit and security checks on kids online.

[@rickmorty5215]

Sure. You buy them the smartphone, then blame someone else for how the smartphone affects them. There are parental control apps designed to prevent specific downloads. It is your responsibility as a parent to check your underaged teenager's phone, not to respect their privacy.

[@nadiajr1500]

Problem prevention: Don't let our children use social media and a smart phone. Buy a watch that functions as a phone for them. That's it.

[@user-jy7iw8oj3u]

If your child is under the age of 18 years old you are fully responsible for all your child’s actions. You cannot sue anybody because you don’t know how to be a good parent!

[@loisterinogray8931]

So sad, I cried w/this dad and mom watching them tell the story of their beautiful 14 year old daughter who is now deceased.

[@myralhf]

Algorithms are partly responsible to the political division we feel in America.

[@firstlast8258]

Gawd bless Murica

[@14dwebb]

Those divisions have been deep before the algorithms. Too many have had their heads stuck in the sand.

[@darceyderosa2426]

Parents control what their children watch. Stop blaming everyone else and do your parental responsibility!

[@joyaustin6581]

You can take internet off the phone and turn off the WiFi

[@VoltairesRevenge]

That’s what I say when all these Hispanic parents blame the gangs for so many of their children joining violent criminal groups of thugs.

[@y.m.or.4053]

So many of these proposed changes don't really make sense implementation wise, you're either asking them to retain records that have a major security risk or you're basically asking social media companies to stop making money, which they'll never do. I don't doubt that these companies have extremely predatory algorithms, but parents obviously need to be far more educated about social media/being online so that they can in turn teach their kids that if something is free, that means you ARE the product.

[@QAsession]

Mental disease is real. Little humans need social and emotional skills to deal with today's increasingly difficult world. Just like we go to the dentist and doctors for yearly check-ups we should be checking our children's mental health regularly through professionals. Teachers, who are at the forefront of education may be able to detect some abnormalities in behavior or mood. HOWEVER-----kids have their own subculture in school and oftentimes teachers also have NO idea what is going on inside the child's mind. This is a complex problem. Time will tell who has the wisdom, power, and desire to fix it. Condolences to the family who lost their precious daughter

[@Boteak]

"Where were the parents at? Look where it's at! Middle America, NOW it's a tragedy, NOW it's so hard to see, an upper class city, having this happening" - Eminem

[@prettypuffprincess]

COMPARISON IS THE THEIF OF JOY😞

[@lendog203]

at 9:42, just the way in which he said those words, I realized I was listening to one of the strongest men online. Sir, I pray for you, your family & I don't really know what else to say. Thank You for sharing your story & once again, my heart goes out to you & your family. GOD Bless.

[@joyaustin6581]

Parents can delete the apps. They just want a payout

[@VoltairesRevenge]

You didn’t listen to the broadcast, apparently. How will the parent know if the app looks like a calculator?

[@sylvia.222]

very informative, thank you.

[@vikkismith7497]

Children that's younger than eighteen years old shouldn't allowed on any social platforms.

[@clifftanch]

“Meta declined our request for an interview.” 60 Minutes should compile a list of every person/entity who has ever declined an interview and post an updated list on its website. The Zuckerbergs should see which of these they would invite to dinner.

[@firstlast8258]

Zuckerborg

[@2006glg]

You can buy her a flip phone, not a smartphone. Then she truly could only use it for texts and calls I'm not a social media, Meta or FB fan, never got on FB. I saw quickly how it changed ppl and encouraged the worst behaviors in so called adults. But then again, I'm a contrarian. Anything that everyone else tries to pressure me to do is something I'm always going to be extra suspicious of because if everyone is invested in getting everyone else on board, it's probably some mass stupidity going on. I feel for these parents and kids, but idk. Facts are that life is hard and more often than not, most of us will feel out of place in some way in much of our lives. It seems like kids are not being prepared for those points of life anymore by their parents, but idk. I got bullied a lot as a kid but it was a different time in the late 80s. I had to learn to be okay with being different and it made me resilient, but I'm not sure I would have fared the same if social media had been around. I just feel for the kids.

[@jeanneduckduck]

wow such incredibly strong parents - i could not image what they ahve gone through. I hope they all band together and have a BIG class action lawsuit against meta.

[@dihe1392]

And I hope they don't win..it's all parental negligence

[@jeanneduckduck]

@@dihe1392 facebook literally has studies that their content is directly harming children but ok.... i am someone who struggles with anorexia and have tried over and over to not have dieting and eating disorder content show up on my account and still it does. I'm 26...is that my parent's negligence?

[@jeanneduckduck]

@@dihe1392 also its very clear you are not a parent

[@dihe1392]

@@jeanneduckduck I have a kid and I have struggled with bulimia so don't think you're special by any means. Kids don't need a cell phone to survive neither facebook. Just don't buy kids high capacity phones and the problem can be solved. Those parents should of taken the phone from that girl. An 11 yr old can't buy a phone by yhemselves, it takes a parent giving them that phone to begin with.

[@dihe1392]

@@jeanneduckduck obviously you're being triggered by fb..try deleting your social media, go for a hike, I lived without a phone for 2yrs and it can be done

[@Rebblenod619]

“Addicted to instagram” in my opinion is how parents view an inherit need to socialize with others that puts the blame on everyone except themselves. It just happens to be that socializing is taking place on this platform. A kid always at the mall before the age of cell phones isn’t addicted to the mall there just socializing in what’s normal for that time. But the important difference is you probably won’t get an eating disorder from socializing at the mall.

[@Alexander-rq9he]

You don’t push eating disorder algorithms on teens especially when they’re at their most vulnerable. That is definitely evil. I know parents bear responsibility but kids are sneaky and dishonest af.

[@Tarsibu]

You're right on point. I know I lied as much as I could when I was a kid just so I got my Social Media access.

[@cheeks2696]

How about just say no to your child NO social media period….

[@jaxn1221]

Shocking and appalling

[@mikedevo363]

how about, put the phone down if you don't like the way it makes you feel. we don't need a babysitter state.

[@ms.andrea172]

She was 11, why bother to comment if u have nothing to say of value!

[@director7685]

Sounds like bad parenting.

[@ManuelBergher]

I agree with this to a certain extent, but not completely. The ultimate responsibility is the parents. Not the social media companies.

[@SBayrd]

It is like selling alcohol to a minor. The kids will find a way to get a vendor outside of their parents - its up to the vendor to not furnish the alcohol. Similarly, kids have access to the internet, and they are being supplied a highly addictive substance: social media.

[@ManuelBergher]

@@SBayrd i don’t agree with your logic.

[@ManuelBergher]

@@jeffkitson9565 hahaha just be a responsible parent. Don’t blame your bad parenting on a social media company.

[@cindieduncan1100]

Thank you for this awareness

[@monickalynn4365]

These kids obviously had mental/emotional issues with or without social media use. Similar-as far as blame-to suing McDonalds for weight,health issues.Also the 1980's legal attempts to hold Heavy Metal artists responsible,in part,for teen suicide. Artists/musicians found not guilty/liable.

[@latp9567]

I have reported swásticas, kids engaging in sexual postures and comments where I have been threatened with being sodomized with objects (2 times) and The answer is always the same: this is not against our policies. But I called someone silly once and got my account suspended.

[@BabyGirlRaven]

I work with social media five days a week although I can’t tell anybody what company I work for but they should require a copy of a state ID or a school ID I think you also should have to be in high school and I think that they should require parents drivers license copy as well Some of the stuff I see day in and day out I have had to sneak out counseling myself. Young men and women should never have to see the stuff but because of freedom of speech freedom of what you want to be able to watch this stuff has changed everything, sometimes I wish we could go back when there was no Internet at all, and while we had young men and women who were suicidal or depressed, it was nothing like it is today. I myself do you go through bouts of wondering why I took this job, and then I remember it’s because of those type of children that I can get on there and do my best to remove that type of contact so it does not get to them, which is why if given the chance I would probably burn myself out on this job just making sure it gets removed. Because meta-or Facebook, whatever you wanna call, it did the same thing to my children my oldest one work through his suicidal thoughts and depression there for a while, he even had an eating disorder because of everything that’s shown on the Internet. But honestly you cannot, just blame Facebook. There are several other Internet platforms for social media. They’re allowing the same thing. I also think we should have to supply an ID for proof of age before you’re allowed to have your own Facebook page although I’m sure someone would go around it it would at least help just a little. My heart goes out to the families and what they are going through what they are still going through just last year Facebook employees sued Facebook because of the same thing so I say don’t stop take it as far as you can even if you have to go to the supreme court, but don’t let them win. They’re not deserving of our children over money!!!!

[@contemplatinggod2791]

I left social media the moment I felt sad above myself in contrast to what social media presented to me as ideal. I was 27. Its real, Ai feeding contents to you or not, the other point is, post from your known family snd friends on social media can equally affect you. You just cant stay glued to/on social media. I think children shouldnt simply be allowed on it.

[@jeffersonsmith2728]

Yes, yes, please, sue the crap out of these companies. Thank you!

[@girlygirl1890]

@jeff absolutely!

[@amycuaresma]

There's a difference between things you enjoy vs things that bring you joy.

[@someguy2135]

Well said! Short term dopamine from social media is not worth the long term pain it can cause.

[@richardweller5545]

Blaming apps for their kids problems makes no sense. Just because you see something on Facebook or TikTok doesn't make them responsible. Seems to me the kid is to blame and has a problem. This is the same thing as video games are to blame for kids acting out. The problem is your kids not anything else.

[@joeyw7325]

Just a thought....dont give an 11 year old a smartphone. There are phones without internet access

[@civlyzed]

Good call, Joey.

[@tragicrhythm]

Parents can also contact their congresspeople to urge them to pass bills that regulate social media

[@ThawinginVA]

Heartbreaking

[@theresamay9481]

Truly awful stories. My heart goes out to all the parents & families. When I think IG censored my innocent post related to Palestine and let's truly dangerous content go, it's ridiculous.

[@snimsay]

These adults are made of fudge... JUST DON'T GIVE YOUR EFFING KID A PHONE!!... Bad parenting is at fault here.

[@killersugar6816]

Turn them all off. Social media is the most toxic thing in the world.

[@justinzhixianleemasterdog2511]

I'm glad that I was never on social media and I'm glad that I never had a smartphone and a computer as a kid myself when I was growing up. I learned to enjoy the life outdoors and it was the best thing that's ever happened in my life. I learned to enjoy the good weather outside too.

[@jeremym9885]

Schools, Teachers and youth leaders all use these platforms as communication tools. Many expect and/or require that the youth will use them. That's how it starts. That's how ours started. Child 1 & 2 struggle because they have had social media since early teens. Child 3 doesn't have any social and struggles because he's out of the loop. Child 4 is heading the same way as 3. There's no middle ground. There's no win here for parents.

[@Melissa0774]

I kind of wonder if there's going to be a sea change when people who are now in their early 30's, start getting old enough to be parents of teens. Right now, generationally speaking, we're still on the very tail end of people who grew up without the internet, or with a very limited use of it, raising today's teens. I kind of wonder if in about the next 10-15 years, there's going to be a movement to basically recreate the 90's experience, when it comes to how kids are introduced to the internet. And I wonder if some entrepreneur who agrees with I'm about to say, will come along and start a company that makes devices and a special watered down, (human moderated,) version of the kid's internet to use on those devices, (basically like a "training wheels," version of the internet and social media.) I'm 36 and when I look back at my own childhood, I realize that my generation was basically taught how to use technology and the internet in that kind of way and I feel like I'm better off because of it. We were introduced to technology and the internet in, incremental, developmentally appropriate steps, not because anyone was doing it intentionally, but just because of the age we happened to be when various things became available. I first started using the internet at school at ten and didn't get a computer at home until 14. We learned about things like sex and mental health disorders and LGBT issues, and stuff like that from books in the library and daytime talk shows. Imagine that! So by the time I actually got online, I was already well aware of the dangers and could recognize them. And I understood the difference between mainstream media and legitimate information sources, vs. some random person making videos here on KZbin. I feel like kids don't understand that now. I mean, how can they when it's all they've ever known? I feel like the way people introduce kids to the internet now is akin to a hypothetical world where people who only ever grew their own food at home, suddenly came into the modern world where junk food was cheap and easily available and they knew nothing about nutrition. Despite their lack of knowledge about proper nutrition, these hypothetical people always ate healthy themselves, because healthy food is all they had available, and they had to work for it. And even in the modern world, they still eat more healthily because they have a taste for vegetables and fruit and healthy stuff, because they developed the taste for it as kids, so it's what their body naturally craves. But now in the modern world, the hypothetical parents are able to just give their kids money and say, here just go to the store or the fast food place and get what you want. The kids, having no concept of junk food, vs. healthy food, just stuff themselves full of candy and crap continuously and they don't even learn the meanings of the worlds breakfast, lunch and dinner, because no one realized (except for the food companies,) that they wouldn't somehow magically learn that concept on their own. The food companies take full advantage and try to sell kids the cheapest, most addictive unhealthy food that they can. The parents wonder why all their kids are getting obese and diabetic and not making the same food choices that they would make. The parents eventually learn about proper nutrition, but by the time that happens, they're struggling to play catch up and coming to the realization that kids have to actually be taught how to eat properly, especially in this hypothetical environment where the food companies are trying to sabotage them at every turn. That's where I feel like we are when it comes to kids relationship with the internet today.

[@bs4real]

Wow! That's alot of words! Maybe try 1,000 words instead of 10,000!

[@FreelyReadingwithDawn]

Us too! Similar story. I have daughters 15, 17, 20.

[@alexlopez5800]

Crazy, conformity takes new extremes and mathematical equations takes advantage of all of us.

[@firstlast8258]

Speak for yourself

[@davidmatthews1710]

I understand this issue……… but it’s the same as blaming video games for violence……… parents need to control their kids and raise them right…….. give them a basket ball and go to a park…….. buy them a bike and tell them to ride it. I think blaming someone else for bad habits and social media addiction is a compete cop out.

[@glee_again2594]

This is so difficult. These parents did what they thought was right and safe and yet things happened. On the one hand, I agree, these things shouldn’t even be accessible online/social media. On the other hand not everyone who accesses someone showing how they h-ng will be tempted to do it. I have 5 children while they don’t have social media until they go to college (call me a prude all you want-they are actually grateful). I HAVE allowed them to take online classes. On a “Christian” writers website one of my children met another girl in a prayer group thread. The other girl had psychological issues that included cutting. She’d asked for prayers she could stop it. My daughter being compassionate was at first stunned. Then one day she started doing it. At first I blamed the website for not looking after the group better (I think it was for teens through 21). Actually it wasn’t that kids’ fault or the website. My daughter just “happened” to have developmental trauma from adoption and a personality disorder (we didn’t know of these things until this happened). She was already susceptible and this sent her over the edge. The BLESSING in it is that after a few years so no online presence, a balance of medications and lots of counseling she is better able to handle herself. At the time she was 16 when this first occurred. She is our oldest. None of her siblings have done the same. They don’t have the same trauma or propensity to do those things. Self harm looks like crazy to them. I would see people self harm in high school and I never understood it until now with my daughter. Now I see how traumatized these friends must have been to go to these extremes. I wish I could protect all of my children from these things. Esp my more vulnerable one I spoke of above who is hugely impacted by suggestibility. One thing I learned while we tried to keep her safe from self harm and suicide was they will find a way if they are going to do it. Just like the kids hiding social media activity with other apps. PS thank God my daughter had told me about the other girl struggling and how she told her about how she does it and why. Open communication goes a long way. But I also know…that just as these parents found their daughter gone-in a split second of brain deception, anyone could do the same.

[@DeezzzzNutzzzz]

Times are changing and with that education must change to keep up with the times and the unlimited information at hand. We must help raise our kids right they're our future

[@misskay1116]

I agree, This is hurting our children

[@eveeden7996]

The addictive elements of the user’s experience on the internet needs to stop: user-friendly tactics, alerts, notifications, likes, commenting. Who said we need to design the internet in this way? We can change and do better.

[@samgold9151]

Thank you

[@lisagillie2783]

Thank you for this.children struggle just trying to grow up.stop trying to diminish us as humans we can do more than anyone believes as long as we don't get turned inside out.

[@ms.andrea172]

You could say the same thing about commercials in the 80's.

[@molddanceparty]

You could say this for any form of media out there. Disorders and horrible crimes have been caused by music, movies, books, video games, or anything else that your mind is able to process. Parents now a days do give their children any real attention and so they are left with too much media to handle. I would even go to say that have a tv unsupervised in a child's room is about as dangerous as a phone because they can still come across damaging content. Even letting a kid go to a library and letting to read is dangerous because media in general has so many messages. A kid could pick up the book lolita by Vladimir Nabokov and romanticise having intimate relationships with older men. Parents need to better communicate what is good and bad for their children and so do the schools. Teach more about history, compassion, and mental health so kids can be guided in the right direction.

[@urgentcaredr]

No child needs a phone until they are 16 or older. I have a child on the way and he or she will not have a phone. It’s not about money- we make 325k in our household. Once they start work at 15 or 16, then they will pay for their own phone with parental security and restrictions ☎️ once they are 18 then they can do whatever they want.

[@dr.elvis.h.christ]

Actually everyone needs a phone now that we are in an age where public phones no longer exist. What we don't need are smartphones with 1000 digital distractions installed.

[@alostbard]

10:22 'I knew her password'... that one statement explains a lot.

[@WVMothman]

If these apps are causing teenagers to be self destructive think about what it's doing to the adult brain in general, there's no firewall from these apps.

[@loyisad1211]

The first couple is amazing. They could have been thankful their child survived and left it at that. But they are fighting the company to protect other children. I wish them every success. To the Spence family, it was not your fault. You did the best you could. And you are now doing even more for all other kids. England would be proud of you.

[@donjindra]

They are not protecting their child. They are shifting responsibility. They're cowardly.

[@kellysquared2]

@@donjindra you clearly aren’t a parent. It’s not humanly possible to know, see and be everywhere at all times regarding your child.

[@donjindra]

@@kellysquared2 You should ask before you display your ignorance. My sons are in their 40s. I would not have let them have a phone growing up. But even if I did my wife and I were fully capable of having a stronger influence on them than social media.

[@SBayrd]

@@donjindra Maybe 40 years ago. Growing up in the 2000s... no, you can't do anything to stop a kid from being on the internet.

[@SBayrd]

Also, you're an awful person for your initial comment.

[@ms.ellenlevy5667]

Social media is dangerous. We are considered users by these companies. Just like a junkie.I deleted all my social media except for you tube I like music and seeing old mtv videos. Social media is a cesspool of human waste. I have better things to do with my time.

[@OnyoMeji]

It is hard, but it has always been hard, and it will always be hard.... its called life, and parenting, and it sucks. There is nothing new under the sun. It is your job as a parent to connect to your kids, and instill in them values that will, protect them from society's BS. Bullies have always existed, and there are individuals that stand up to them. Encourage your kids to stand up to their bullies, and always backup them up when they do. If they are scared, encourage them to be brave, even if you are not. Kids usually take their cues from their parents.

[@mavjudaramazanova2679]

Parents shouldn’t let children use a phone or they should check their phones regularly.

[@Youdidsept11]

Scary

[@jeanlaubenthal698]

Education not Legislation!

[@vikkismith7497]

They need to get rid of some of the social media platforms. Because some people only using them to do wrong in any way that they can. The major problem is that people don't have to used their own names and identity on some of the platforms.

[@dr.elvis.h.christ]

Get rid of all of them. They are completely unneccesary.

[@14dwebb]

Very short sighted to suggest getting rid of platforms that have brought life to economies around the world and largely made the world smaller. They’ve also helped and still help bring down authoritarian governments. There needs to be regulation from our governments but of course… Americans are too stupid to understand our government has to step in, with coordination from the companies, experts, AND people affected by these policies to address this.

[@user-wm3re7xn6y]

Verification process should be done by the parents then provided to the childrens once filters and such are placed. Kids should not be allowed to do the verification process alone.

[@SHARON.I]

Clever 60 Minutes leaving the comments section on

[@hfrt29]

That's mortifying and social media is just something that should be eradicated from one's life it is nothing but ridiculousness

[@dr.elvis.h.christ]

It's nothing but a corporate spy machine serving the cause of crass commercialism.

[@whereisyourhumanity7557]

It's bad enough for me, and I'm a fairly tough old broad.

[@chantalvonschaeffer2753]

It's about Damn time!!...

[@theuneekjourney6734]

Sooo true real real

[@courtneymichelle2588]

Former attorney for Product and liability, suing these companies. The algorithms and lack of warnings. I’m my opinion, I truly believe that no phones allowed in public places, especially schools. Are you freaking kidding me? But parents are just as hooked as adults. Mandatory lock up your phone at every single employer. More monitoring needs to be done by parents in which they all model the best way to communicate better is to lock up everyone’s phones and spend time together away from any electronic devices. Go outside and play these sites need to go away and just start new ones made by different age groups that can have different ones. I do not trust social media

[@danieltriplett3616]

Whatever happened to actually parenting? If u don't like the content your child has access to online, then don't let them get online. I'm sorry, but she said she snuck around to get online, broke her parents rules, so how is it the companies fault for having content the parents don't like . ACCOUNTABLY, it's the child's fault for breaking the rules of her parents and the parents fault for not keeping an eye on their child. It s not like they called her phone , then left a voicemail, then sent her a text messages, no this child choose to get online,she choose to violate her parents rules , she sought them out .

[@neonnoir9692]

Parents need to parent, they failed to do enough and she deliberately circumvented protections. She was too weak-willed for it.

[@elitex50]

This not a kids thing. It’s a universal human being problem. Kids will get over this like MySpace.

[@leeannhartley3912]

No phones no social media until at least 13