But 13-year-olds are already welcome on social media with few protections and sometimes tragic effects, experts and parents said. Facebook and Instagram had argued that kids are getting phones steadily younger, lying about their ages, getting apps and need something designed for them. “Preteens probably shouldn’t have phones, but parents give them anyway... Young teens shouldn’t be on social media, but parents allow,” Stamos tweeted. But a lack of protection for children online means they will remain sought after targets for social media, especially the youngest users. “The real problem is that the business model is reaching deeper and deeper down the brainstem at a younger and younger age, much like the tobacco companies had to get kids addicted early,” said Harris.

Source: Taipei Times September 30, 2021 15:56 UTC