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Public speaker urges council to investigate tech companies' data collection and youth impacts
Summary
A public commenter urged Pittsburgh City Council to study how tech platforms collect data on children, hold companies accountable, and fund programming such as coding instruction to mitigate harms to youth mental health and decision-making.
A registered public commenter identified in the record as Chief Ikahonahamalkina asked council to "take a closer look at the data collected by these big tech companies and hold them accountable," arguing that prolonged internet and social-media exposure harms youth development and that "we must take the necessary steps to protect them."
The speaker cited international precedents and research suggesting harm to developing brains and recommended that the city consider programming such as coding classes and pursue accountability measures for companies that collect and use minors' data. Council members did not take formal action on the request during the meeting; the remarks were included in the public-comment record for future consideration.
