Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) is calling on the U.S. to follow Australia’s lead and ban children younger than 16 from using social media.
“When it comes to our adolescents, it’s either going to be adults or the algorithms. One of them is going to raise the kids,” Emanuel said in a video on the social platform X. “And I think we need to help the parents. It’s too much for a parent to push against Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, all the other social media apps.”
Down under, a law requiring social media companies to disable the accounts of Australian users under the age of 16 took effect on Wednesday. Failure to do so would in a fine of more than 49.5 million Australian dollars, equivalent to more than $32 million.
The law applies to Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, Kick, Reddit, Twitch and X, and is the first of its kind globally.
Emanuel, the first chief of staff to former President Obama and a potential 2028 presidential contender, said Tuesday that U.S. kids are “way too vulnerable” to the harmful effects of social media, which he called addictive and alluring.
“Parents cannot fight Big Tech alone,” he added. “Sensible regulations cut teen smoking and banned phones in classrooms to boost academic and social development.”
