The Federal Trade Commission is taking steps to enhance its understanding of the psychological impacts of social media by recruiting child psychologists to bolster its regulatory efforts.
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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 13: FTC Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter (5th L) and Alvaro Bedoya (6th L) attend a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on July 13, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Bringing Onbard In-House Child Psychologists
Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya revealed that the agency is proactively planning to bring onboard in-house child psychologists who will be responsible for assessing the mental ramifications of social media use, investigating the influence of dark patterns, and monitoring emerging trends.
While FTC possesses a cadre of 80 Ph.D. economists to address economic inquiries, his interview The Record stated that it currently lacks dedicated in-house experts in the field of psychological impacts. Bedoya emphasizes the need to have such expertise readily available when allegations of mental health consequences are raised.
The agency aims to send a strong signal to other U.S. law enforcement agencies by establishing a permanent in-house capacity for this purpose.
The Verge reported that FTC's recruitment of child psychologists is anticipated to be realized by the autumn of 2024, or possibly even earlier, marking a significant step in bolstering its capabilities for addressing the evolving landscape of social media's effects on individuals' mental well-being.
Bedoya discussed the agency's expansion plans under the leadership of Chair Lina Khan. The FTC intends to bolster its expertise by hiring child psychologists as full-time staff members, aiming to enhance its rulemaking and enforcement actions regarding social media companies.
The FTC will initiate this transition gradually, commencing with a small number of child psychologist hires, with plans for continued expansion. This move coincides with growing attention to children's online safety and the mental health implications of social media on young users.
Broader Initiative
CNBC reported that the FTC's strategy aligns with a larger national effort within the U.S. government, highlighting the importance of online safeguards for children and teenagers. Federal and state legislators have put forth fresh proposals aimed at enhancing internet safety.
These initiatives may involve stricter age verification requirements or increased expectations for tech companies to create secure products catering to young audiences. In a significant development, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory in May, underscoring the substantial mental health risks associated with young individuals' use of social media platforms.
He recently traveled to London to meet with the UK's top tech industry regulators, seeking insights into their more proactive approach to addressing the influence of social media on children.
Advocating for critical issues is not new to Bedoya. His previous role as the first chief counsel to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law underscores his dedication to these concerns.
Bedoya emphasized the FTC's evolving identity, emphasizing that it goes beyond being solely composed of civil law enforcement attorneys. Over time, the agency has augmented its team with Ph.D. economists and technologists, allowing it to engage on equal footing with the companies it oversees.
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