Phoenix Wright Objection. Photo, (https://www.pngitem.com/middle/hmiRJRJ_phoenix-wright-objection-png-download-transparent-phoenix-wright/.)

So, there’s a new bill that’s supposed to help children with social media addiction now. Its still being discussed in California and hasn’t been made into anything official yet. However, what is it? Sure, its supposed to help children (or rather those in between the ages of 3 – 16) but the question here is… how?

Well first of all, it utilizes one of the cornerstones of a good democratic government. Suing people! This California bill is going to allow parents to well, sue the company. They can sue a social media company that their child is addicted to for a grand sum of 25, 000 for every “violation”.

Fear not though, it does have a few restrictions such as the company has to be making 100 million a year at the very minimum to be affected. So, you can’t go suing random small social media companies and ruin there day. Also, there are certain restrictions such as your child or if you are the child you, need to be actually addicted to the platform. What does this mean? Well, the document actually does provide us with what it means “It [means] you self-identify that you don’t have control over your usage and that it is materially harming your health, your schoolwork or your physical health.”

 

Helpful or more political appeasement

Well, I don’t think this is going to be very useful honestly. It highlights the problems of what’s been going on right now with all the addiction and mental troubles. However, suing someone’s expensive and honestly? Personally? Way too much trouble. To go through all this work to earn 25,000 because your child is addicted to social media? Why not just… help your kid out using this time instead?

I mean granted one thing it does do quite well is draw concern to this problem kids are facing nowadays and well, for the truly desperate it is a solution. It shows that the government is willing to go lengths to aid in social media consumption. Which is good, more attention to the problem the better right?

Well that depends, if this is all that’s going to happen because supposedly this will solve the problem… then no. It’s not the best thing that could have happened and honestly it seems a bit of a reach around for the addiction.

In terms of alleviating concerns in most cases the children is addicted to the device. What’s 25, 000 dollars supposed to do? Answer is, probably nothing. The parents may be happier. But the point remains, the child is still probably going to be addicted at the end of the day. So, it would probably help lessen the concern. Since, there now seems to be precautions set in place. But honestly? I don’t think this is really addressing the problem. The problem? The child being addicted.

 

Possible?

So, I think aside from all the parts where I don’t think it would actually solve the problem. Well, it might work. I don’t know. It’s a bill on suing large corporations who sometimes, aren’t even technically situated in the Americas. It could work, and it could lead the focus in a good direction as “Social media companies and online web services would have no choice but to cease operations for kids under 18” (Brian , Frederick. California Bill Allows Parents To Sue For Child’s Social Media Addiction). This could very well be good.

However only in California? This is a Californian bill, what would it exactly do for everywhere outside of California? Perhaps this will cause something. This could be possible, the government, if it’s willing could definitely helpful.

I would personally suggest that something which enforces rules on social media and how it is used could be far better. Most often then not the distinction between addiction and uses it abit too much. So, I would just suggest something about enforcing rules on selling data of a minor.

I don’t believe it would be as or more difficult as enabling people to sue the companies. Just, a bit more policies for companies to follow. However, I haven’t read the entire document. I’m not completely sure it won’t do anything.

Wrap up.

So, California’s making some new laws. From the looks of it, a lot of Ayes meaning its probably going to get passed. Honestly? I think its a step in the right direction. Do I think it’s going to work? Probably not. Do remember though, only time will tell and well, I don’t know about you, but I will personally be keeping a close eye on this.