Virginia has joined other states in demanding TikTok and Snapchat to do more to protect children, namely include a parental control feature like other social media platforms. .
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is among 44 who sent a letter to the social media giants, claiming that they need to do more to protect children on their platform. TikTok and Snapchat are among the few social media platforms that do not have any parental controls, and the letter states as much:
Your platforms do not effectively collaborate with parental control applications (“apps”) or otherwise provide an adequate opportunity for parental control within the platform,” the letter states.
Miyares also expressed his concern about the effects that these platforms have on younger audiences. Miyares’ office said social media can decrease self-esteem and greater body-image dissatisfaction among children and teenagers.
“Unfortunately, predators and bullies can use social media to reach impressionable children without their parents having any idea,” Miyares said. “Additionally, studies have shown the disastrous impact social media can have on the mental and physical health of our children.”
TikTok and Snapchat join the other tech giants that Attorney Generals nationwide are calling out to have more accountability. Meta, formally Facebook, is also facing similar accusations, but that call to action is still ongoing, so hopefully these companies will respond soon.