Trenton – Amid growing concerns about the effects of social media on youth, Governor Phil Murphy today signed a bill creating a commission to study the effects of social media use on youth in and out of school. The commission’s work builds on the Governor’s continued efforts to address the mental health needs of New Jersey’s youth.
“Social media use is undoubtedly an important part of many young people’s lives today, which is why it is so important to understand the full scope of its impact on students,” Governor Murphy said. Ta. “Establishing this committee will help us better understand how social media use, both in and out of school, impacts the physical and mental health, safety, and academic performance of our students, reduce the negative impacts, and young people of New Jersey. ”
Under this bill (S-715/A-1992), the Committee on the Effects of Social Media Use on Youth will determine:
- Social media usage in and out of public schools, including the average amount of time students of different age groups spend on electronic devices each day.
- The impact of use on students’ mental health, including depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, harassment, intimidation/bullying, and other disruptive behavior.
- The impact of use on student academic performance.
- We will also consider the effects of use on students’ physical health, such as lack of sleep, weight gain or loss, and high blood pressure.
The committee proposed standards for social media use, effective strategies for mitigating the negative effects of social media use on student health and academic performance, and related measures to improve student health and academic performance. We plan to issue a final report detailing our findings, including recommendations. and social media use.
The commission has 19 members, including the Education Commissioner, four public members appointed by legislative leaders, and 14 members appointed by the governor (school nurses, social media data collection/ (including analysis experts and two public members). students in the school, two parents of students enrolled in public schools, and representatives from various educational, psychological, and child advocacy organizations specified in the bill.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Social Media Committee as we study the effects of social media on youth.” Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan said:. “We recognize that it is critically important to understand how digital platforms shape the lives of young people, both academically and emotionally. represents an important platform to review, draw insights from experts, and engage in an open dialogue to develop effective policy and practice. Together, we will hold the virtual world accountable. We will equip New Jersey students with the knowledge, resiliency and digital literacy they need to navigate and make social media a catalyst for positive growth and meaningful connections.”
“The advent of social media has really changed life as we know it. In some ways it has brought the world closer together, but in others it has created a disconnect between real and virtual relationships. I did.” New Jersey DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer said. “Overuse of social media, especially for younger users, can affect body image, mental health, and peer relationships, and we’ve learned how online bullying can be exacerbated through social media. By bringing together experts to study this phenomenon, we can inform public policy and address critical drivers of this country’s youth mental health crisis.”
The bill’s sponsors include Sen. Richard Cody and Rep. Herb Conaway, Sen. Edward Darr, Rep. Carol Murphy and Rep. Benji Wimberly.
“Over the past decade, the evolution of smartphones and social media has become a major factor in adolescents’ lives.” said Senator Cody. “Students are now connected 24 hours a day. They are linked by a variety of social media platforms, posing risks to academic performance. We will provide you with valuable information to help you.”
“We have a responsibility to protect our children and provide them with the resources and support they need to lead healthy, successful lives. As smartphones and social media become more ingrained in our society, we must We need to take steps to understand the effects of social media, especially those affecting young people. We know that heavy use of social media by young people can have serious negative effects on their lives and health. I know.” Congressman Herb Conaway said:. “Teen suicide rates have doubled in the past 10 years, after declining for the previous 20 years, and researchers correlate this with the prevalence of social media.” Established by law, the commission will establish evidence-based guidelines to best support the physical and mental health of New Jersey students in a world of social media and smartphones.”
“The New Jersey State Board of Education would like to thank Governor Murphy and the Legislature for their efforts in establishing the Commission on the Effects of Social Media Use on Youth.” “New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) Executive Director and CEO Dr. Timothy Purnell said: “In recent years, we have seen an alarming increase in the number of students with mental health issues. Districts have had to add counseling staff and services to address this crisis.” We believe that the impact of social media on children’s development has not been well researched, and that there is a lack of understanding of the long-term effects of this technology. This was supported by the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory warning on May 23, which stated that there were sufficient indications that there was a potential for serious harm to the health and well-being of the United States.One of the organizations represented on the committee As a nation, we look forward to working on this important initiative to strengthen student mental health and applaud New Jersey’s leaders for taking this important step to protect student health. Masu.”
“On behalf of the New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), I support Senators Cody and Doerr for sponsoring S-715 and the Commission to Study the Impact of Social Media Use on Youth. I want to thank Governor Murphy for all you do, both inside and outside of school.” said Karen Bingert, executive director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. “The most powerful tool of our time has quietly slipped into children’s pockets in the form of smartphones, but like any tool, there are risks and consequences for misuse or overuse. An equally powerful and dangerous tool in the hands of young people, it can cause deeper and more lasting damage to children’s minds and health than a hammer blow to the thumb, and this committee: The important role of identifying those risks, developing plans to mitigate them, and helping schools and families find a happy balance with social media is to ensure children are happy. NJPSA looks forward to participating in this important effort and applauds the Legislature and Governor Murphy for their proactive efforts to protect children. Masu.”
“We commend the Legislature and the governor for establishing this commission.” said Sean Spiller, president of the New Jersey Education Association. “Our educators know more than ever about the negative impact social media has on our students and how it is contributing to the mental health crisis our students are facing. We look forward to serving on the committee and submitting recommendations to better protect our youth.”
“NJPTA believes that the influence of social media impacts adolescent mental health in a variety of ways, including low self-esteem, depressed mood, and eating disorders.” Sharon Roseboro, New Jersey State PTA President, said: “We encourage parents and caregivers to educate parents and caregivers about the effects of social media as it relates to adolescent self-esteem development.” We will continue to work strictly with our partners and schools.”
“There is no denying that social media has a significant impact on the social and emotional health and development of adolescents. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, a majority of teens (77%) use YouTube and Tik Tok every day.” said Ebony Grace, MFT, CEO of the New Jersey School-Age Child Care Coalition (NJSACC). “While there are positive aspects to the use of social media and technology, such as building a sense of community, creating educational content for young people, and entrepreneurship through e-sports, the potential negative effects include isolation, body image distortions, mental health issues, etc. Given the negative effects of social media, which are undoubtedly prevalent among today’s youth, after-school and out-of-school time (OST) programs should address the effects of social media use. NJSACC supports this bill (S-715) and Governor Murphy’s Youth Mental Health Initiative.”
“Over the past decade, social media has become an integral part of the lives of young people across the country and around the world. It is of widespread concern across a wide range of sectors, socio-economic and ethnic communities.” Kristin Esposito, editor of the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists. “The New Jersey Association of School Psychologists recognizes the need for continued research to examine the effects of social media use on youth development and is pleased to support this much-needed effort. NJASP looks forward to contributing evidence-based research and recommendations that promote the appropriate development and safety of all youth.”