Julie Scelfo established MAMA — Mothers Against Media Addiction — earlier this year to assist parents in addressing the detrimental effects of social media on children. As a former journalist, Scelfo became motivated to take action after covering the youth mental health crisis and witnessing firsthand how screens and social media impact young lives.
The organization has grown rapidly, boasting 28 chapters across 17 states, with additional groups awaiting formation in other areas. Scelfo highlights the mission of MAMA, which includes educating parents about technology, advocating for a smartphone-free school environment, and pushing for legislation that would regulate technology in a manner akin to other consumer goods.
Recently, Scelfo shared insights about her work with MAMA and discussed an Australian law that prohibits children under the age of 16 from using social media. The following Q&A has been condensed for brevity and clarity.
**Question: What concerns do parents express about technology, especially any emerging issues?**
Many parents voice deep anxiety over the constant presence of technology in their kids’ lives, unsure of how to manage it. They face immense societal pressure to provide their children with phones, and the fact that even young children are given tablets at school can make it feel overwhelming. Parents instinctively recognize the benefits of outdoor activities but often feel helpless against the pervasive influence of screens. The onus of navigating these challenges should not fall solely on parents, as the issues stem from systemic societal norms and the technology itself.
Families are experiencing a “polycrisis,” where multiple issues intersect, creating conditions that are dire for children. During foundational developmental years, kids are increasingly learning to interact through screens, impeding both their social skill acquisition and attention spans. Technology companies employ hidden algorithms targeting young users, manipulating their emotions for profit, a phenomenon that often goes unnoticed.
**Question: Is the Australian ban on social media for children under 16 an appropriate government measure? Why or why not?**
The ban implemented in Australia places accountability back on tech companies rather than shifting it to parents. With over half of teenagers spending close to five hours daily on social media and amidst a concerning youth mental health crisis, it is shocking that governments, including those in the U.S., have failed to enact substantial social media regulations for so long. The Australian law is a pivotal break in the trend of inadequate internet regulation, and praise is due to the country’s lawmakers for challenging Big Tech.
Big Tech has designed platforms to keep children engaged, often leading to addiction, anxiety, and even depression among users. The strategies employed aim to show increasingly extreme content, exploiting user data without the fundamental safeguards that parents expect. It raises a critical question: Why should parents be responsible for the safety of these products while companies profit excessively? Governments need to intervene to ensure that companies are accountable for the impact their products have on youth, especially considering the millions spent to block legislative progress like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) in the U.S.
**Question: What are the arguments for waiting until age 16 for social media access?**
Today’s youth engage with screens for nearly nine hours a day, an unhealthy practice for their mental and emotional health. For example, Meta recently reported taking steps against 12 million instances of harmful content on its platforms within just a few months. Kids are not only exposed to unsafe material; their addiction to checking phones displaces vital real-life interactions necessary for their emotional and academic growth.
**Question: Won’t children simply circumvent these restrictions?**
Just like other industries, including toys and automobiles, social media should come with regulations aimed at protecting children. While kids might attempt to bypass restrictions, similar to how they might try to access alcohol or tobacco, we do not openly condone giving them unrestricted access. Raising awareness and passing policy changes will make tech companies accountable for ensuring their products do not pose dangers to the youth.
**Question: What is your overarching goal with MAMA?**
Inspired by movements like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MAMA was born from frustration over injustices that young people face due to technology’s interference in their lives. The aim is to facilitate a cultural shift that recognizes both technology’s benefits and its significant downsides. MAMA advocates for corporations, much like Big Tobacco in the past, to prioritize safety above profits. Ultimately, MAMA seeks to position technological products as beneficial tools, integral but not central to human experience.
