Vermont Age Appropriate Design Code Act targets kid's screen time and online harms

In a pivotal government meeting held in Vermont, experts gathered to discuss the urgent need for regulations on addictive technology platforms and social media, particularly concerning the welfare of children. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of responsibility as advocates presented compelling arguments for legislative action aimed at curbing the pervasive influence of technology on young users.

One of the key voices at the meeting was a legal scholar who highlighted a burgeoning grassroots movement led by parents and supported by legal initiatives. This movement has gained traction across various states and even internationally, resulting in laws that ban the use of phones in schools and protect children from online dangers. The scholar emphasized that the Vermont Age of Appropriate Design Code Act is a crucial step in this fight, aiming to disrupt the business models of tech companies that profit from keeping children engaged online.

The scholar explained that the current business model of technology companies is designed to maximize user engagement, often at the expense of children's well-being. With teenagers averaging over eight hours of screen time daily, the scholar pointed out that tech companies manipulate user behavior through features like infinite scrolling, which removes natural stopping cues. This design strategy, likened to a "bottomless bowl of soup," keeps users consuming content without realizing how much time they spend online.

Financially, the stakes are high. A recent study revealed that social media companies generate approximately $11 billion annually from minors. The scholar argued that laws like Vermont's would destabilize this lucrative model by enforcing stricter privacy measures and limiting addictive design practices. For instance, the Act mandates that tech platforms must set the highest privacy options as defaults and prohibits sending notifications at night, both of which would reduce the amount of data collected on young users.

The meeting also addressed the broader implications of these regulations. The scholar warned that without intervention, tech companies are unlikely to self-regulate, drawing parallels to past battles against the tobacco and junk food industries. The urgency of the situation was palpable, as the discussion underscored the need for a collective effort to envision a safer digital landscape for children.

As the meeting concluded, it became clear that the Vermont Age of Appropriate Design Code Act represents not just a local initiative but a potential blueprint for other states grappling with similar challenges. The path forward may be fraught with resistance from powerful tech interests, but the commitment to protect the next generation from the harms of addictive technology is gaining momentum.