Holding Social Media Companies Accountable

Hey, I’m Mark Lanier. You know, there’s nothing more important than our children. Our children represent the next generation, and it’s great and fascinating. Now, when I grew up, it was before the computer age. I can remember back in the 70s and even in the 60s, we’d go outside and play all day long when we weren’t in school. We now live in an era where children are much more computer literate and computer-accessing, especially since COVID. And as a result, children get on computers, not simply the big ones at home or at school, but the cell phone that contains more computing ability than the rocket that put men on the moon. The problem we’ve got is these children are being taken advantage of. There are algorithms and enticements within so many of these programs that actually are altering our children’s minds. Making them not only addicted to the content and to pursuing these computer uses, but it also is one that is affecting their self-esteem, their social skills, and so much more. I was delighted when I found out that the Attorney General for the state of Arkansas was going to spearhead an effort to bring social media into accountability, to have them alter their practices so that they’re not damaging the next generation, but rather are available to enhance and make life better. After all, that’s what we expect from those programs. And so on behalf of the state of Arkansas, I’ve been fortunate enough to be the lawyer that leads the charge, bringing litigation against Facebook and seeking out the data that we need to ensure that the internet, as much as possible, is a safe space for our children because we treasure the next generation.