The Middle with Jeremy Hobson Is social media safe for kids?
Jul 18, 2025
Julie Scelfo, a leader in combating media addiction, joins filmmaker Matthew O'Neill to discuss the perilous landscape of social media for kids. They delve into alarming issues like mental health impacts, online predators, and the addictive nature of platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The conversation highlights the urgent need for parental guidance and regulatory action to protect young users. They also explore the bipartisan push to raise the legal age for social media, emphasizing the collective responsibility of society to ensure a safer online environment.
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Adults Must Regulate Social Media
- Adults must regulate kids' social media access, not children themselves.
- Age restrictions exist on other risky substances; social media should be treated similarly.
Algorithms Feed Addictive Content
- Algorithms promote content users can’t look away from, often depressing or harmful.
- Sad, vulnerable teens get fed extreme, negative material that worsens mental health.
Ban Smartphones in Schools
- Schools should ban smartphones during the day to improve focus and social interaction.
- Removing phones helps with emotional health and reverses declining academic performance.
