Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Some local school superintendents are commending New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's efforts to pass state legislation that aims to restrict minors to the addictive social media algorithms that promote excessive consumption of their platforms.
"I applaud the governor's efforts to start to, at least, have the discussion and then put this legislation forward, and try and put some controls in place," said Michael Ginestre, Superintendent of Schools for Sweet Home Central. "From what we're seeing, with increased levels of depression among students. It's important that we move forward on this and talk to one another and have discussions about the impact that social media is having on our students."
Gov. Hochul visited Williamsville East High School this past Friday and held an open discussion with students regarding social media consumption and how it impacts their mental health.
The governor subsequently spoke to two pieces of legislation that she is looking to pass before the state legislative session ends June 6, the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, which would provide users under 18 with a default chronological feed from users they already follow – the same way that social media feeds functioned before the advent of algorithms specifically designed to keep users engaged with content that they don't necessarily subscribe to, and the New York Child Data Protection Act, which will prohibit all online sites from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18.
Superintendent Ginestre notes that many of the older students from the school district have been self-aware of the impacts phone and social media use has had on their peers and even requested the district to take action.
"We did join a national lawsuit against the social media companies because of the addictive nature of social media websites. So back in March, the board adopted a resolution to join this lawsuit, because we're seeing the impact it's having on our students," noted Ginestre.
Even before social media companies started to model algorithms that keeps users on their apps for extended periods of time, Hamburg Central Schools Superintendent Michael Cornell notes that social media programmers model platforms to glorify and value self worth based on the amount of response one gets on social media posts, which certainly has influence in a child's mental fortitude.
"The programmers quantified social prestige, clicks and likes. And now kids respond to that, with very negative consequences on young people's social development. Our kids notice it. They are attached to those phones, and frankly, as adults, many of us are modeling that same beat same behavior. We're attached to our phones, too," said Cornell, who also serves as President of the Erie-Niagara Schools Superintendent Association
And although Cornell says legislation is a good start, Cornell believes continued education is what is going to get parents and students to moderate their social media and cell phone use.
"Legislation is a good start, but I think education is the way that we ultimately help children and help their families understand the real impact that social media is having on their kids," noted Cornell. "A lot of it is mental health education, helping kids understand their sense of value, their sense of worth. As a human, they have inherent value, a lot of what we need to teach kids goes back to some of those basic building blocks."
What about cell phones? Should Hochul crackdown with legislation to moderate cell phones?
Both Cornell and Ginestre believe that is something that would be hard to enforce. In addition, most kids that are in-class aren't necessarily engaging in social media on their phones while in-class, but are doing so whenever they have any time spent not doing work inside the classroom.
"We have to help them understand there's a time and place for cell phones and social media. So I think that's a place to start, but, you know, any attempt to legislate something away across the state as large and diverse as New York State, I think is somewhat difficult. I think, as school districts, we have an opportunity to educate kids, educate families, and try to help teach our kids from our youngest learners to our upperclassmen in high school, there is a time and place when it comes to cell phones and social media."
Ginestre notes that Sweet Home has made a strong effort to educate student about excessive cell phone and social media use.
"We had a safety forum here at Sweet Home back in October, to talk to parents about the dangers of social media, and what the impact it's having on their children. But we need to partner together with parents even more to have these conversations and to help them understand. "I'm a parent myself, and I have trouble keeping up with it. It is definitely something we need to work together on."
Cornell also notes that social media addiction is much more complex issue that would requires much more work than simple legislation and education.
"It's going to take a mosaic of effort to help our kids and families have a healthier relationship with social media and cell phones."