Everyone knows social media is hurting children: When will policymakers act in their defence?

Creators of social media platforms have relentlessly pursued child customers and have ignored the technology’s harmful effects. Or so argue tech whistleblowers and at least some members of US Congress.

In late November, court filings were unsealed that include salacious details, such as Meta requiring more than 17 human trafficking attempts before flagging an account, something verified by multiple company sources. The plaintiffs are more than 1,800 parents, school districts, teachers, states and attorneys general.

They argue that the parent companies behind Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube “relentlessly pursued a strategy of growth at all costs, recklessly ignoring the impact of their products on children’s mental and physical health.” Tell me with a straight face that this isn’t a problem. That is what a Meta spokesperson has said: “We strongly disagree with these allegations, which rely on cherry-picked quotes and misinformed opinions in an attempt to present a deliberately misleading picture.”But this latest lawsuit is far from a one-off and evidence is piling up of the negative impact of online platforms on kids.Most parents think there are obvious reforms that would keep kids safe.

But only a handful of state legislatures have forced social media companies to implement age limits or tools mandating parental consent. Another handful have passed laws that have been paused due to court challenges by the tech industry.There’s bipartisan legislation in US Congress that involves giving parents more control and enacting age limits and data protection for minors.

But what will finally push these bills toward passage? That remains to be seen. Maybe Congress is hesitating because members would rather have these