But the bills mentioned by policymakers at a congressional hearing last month to address the problem — specifically, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act — may do more harm than good. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will be considering the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act on Thursday. Both KOSA and the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act also propose parental monitoring tools to help guardians observe their children’s online activities. Join us on Twitter and FacebookBut that’s not enough — social media platforms should continue taking active steps toward more thoughtful designs for young people. A parent might talk to their child about what they are doing online or respond to something they post on social media.

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Persons: Michal Luria, Aliya Bhatia, Aliya Bhatia Tim Hoagland, — Organizations: Center for Democracy & Technology, CNN, US, American Psychological Association, Pew Research Center, Social Media, Senate Commerce, Science, Transportation, Research, Global, American Privacy, APRA, Federal Trade Commission, Social, Twitter