For Immediate Release: April 26, 2022
Contact: Ryan Hite, Communications Director
Social Media Giants Aware of Products’ Effects on Young People
Washington, D.C.: “As Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter looms, free speech is on everyone’s lips today,” said Ed Martin, president of Phyllis Schlafly Eagles. “While we all rightly focus on censorship and shadow banning, it’s also time to use this shakeup to demand transparency at a deeper level.
“For years, the pervasive problem of addiction, exploitation, bullying, and self-harm have plagued young people as social media permeates their lives. While we can’t hold companies responsible for every action of an individual, I think it’s high time for us to address the known and even purposeful software addictions that Big Tech builds into their platforms.
“When Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen stepped forward last year, her testimony and internal document leak gave shocking insight into Meta’s understanding that their products lead to spiraling negative mental health effects on young people. In fact, there are many families tied up in lawsuits now against these tech giants, demanding accountability for their abused, broken, or deceased teens.
“The secret is out: social media companies design their products to get around parental authority and allow young people to head down the dark holes of the internet to sexual exploitation and even suicide. As Elon Musk prepares for the hopeful free speech shakeup at Twitter, it’s time to demand more accountability for our young people. We must step up and fight Big Tech’s addictive grip on the minds of our future generations.”
- Read: The New American — “Social Media Platforms Facing Lawsuits for Suicides, Mental Health Issues Among Users“
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