The Street Wall Journal - It's Time to Save our Children From Social Media

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The Letter That Brought On The Hays Code

William Seabury wrote a scathing assessment of the industry to Judge Kenneth Mackintosh - Washington Supreme Court Judge from March 30, 1918 to April 16, 1928

What is Happening Now to Our Children?

Children can be harmed by social media through increased risks of poor sleep, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on mental health like depression and anxiety.

Additionally, exposure to inappropriate content and unrealistic social comparisons can damage self-esteem and body image. Excessive use can also lead to a decline in concentration, academic performance, and in-person social skills.

- Mental and emotional effects-

Depression and anxiety:

Social media use is linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, with some research indicating a double risk for those spending over three hours a day on these platforms.

Low self-esteem and body image issues:

Seeing idealized or digitally altered versions of others can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one's own life and appearance.

Cyberbullying:

Online harassment can have severe consequences, including increased risks of suicidal ideation and substance abuse.

Emotional regulation:

Excessive social media use is associated with difficulties in emotional regulation, impulse control, and sensitivity to social feedback.

- Behavioral and Developmental Effects -

Poor sleep:

Social media use, especially at night, is linked to poorer sleep quality and duration, which can negatively affect a child's emotional health and academic performance.

Academic and social disruption:

Time spent on social media can distract from schoolwork and reduce face-to-face interactions, hindering the development of essential social cues and in-person communication skills.

Addiction-like behavior:

Social media platforms can trigger the brain's reward center through "likes" and other notifications, which can lead to compulsive and addiction-like behaviors.

- Exposure to Harmful Content

Inappropriate and violent material:

Children can be exposed to violent or distressing news and content that is often not age-appropriate, despite platform policies intended to filter it.

Risky behaviors:

Social media can normalize and encourage risky behaviors, such as substance use, by normalizing it through content consumption

Now IS

The Time

To Email

To The President

A Short Story of Technological Corruption

THE LESSON

Artificial Intelligence used for plagiarism would be easily detected, but policing those who think it's okay to use it could be complex.

Jason leaned back on the bench and whispered to Keko, “See, I told you I had this down.”

Keko wasn't convinced. “I don't get it, it was college level and and no one else gets higher than a B minus and you get an A plus!”

“You really want to know? Come over to my place later and I'll show you.” Jason's nervous voice told his real his intentions and they had nothing to do with homework.”

“In your dreams.” came the reply.”

Mike Williams slammed his hand down hard on his desk to quieten the noisy class. “I know it's Friday and we only have a few minutes left but everyone go back to your seats.”

He waited until the mix of bored and agitated faces had settled down before he continued.

“I know that technology is not my subject but before you leave today I'd like to ask how you think AI is going to effect your world.”

“I's gonna be useful” came the first to answer from the back row of the room.

“How, Jorge?” the teacher asked.

“Because my fridge will order beers when I run out.”

“or more vodka,” came a voice

“and my dad would like some puff” said another.

“Okay, calm down,” said the teacher as he was exasperated and fearful of their future.

He tried again. “Anybody else want to say anything?”

The class was silent apart from more laughter at Jorge's answer the teacher again took the stage.

He knew it was time to change the subject.

“How many of you like the Blues, Rock, Thrash Metal, or folk music?”

A few hands slowly went up.

“So how many of you like Taylor Swift?”

All the girls hands went up.

“So what would you 'Swifties' think if AI produced her songs without her being any part of them?”

“That couldn't happen” came a voice.

“Okay, why not?” he answered with more enthusiasm in his voice.” When I was a kid there was a period called the sixties...” he started and was interrupted.

“Yeah, all free love and drugs” came a voice, and the room erupted into whoops and cat calls.

“Anyway” he continued, ignoring the snarky comments, “Well, it was all homegrown and mostly came out of what were called garage bands, until the music companies saw how much money these long-haired amateurs were making and decided to make over the music industry, they killed the music by creating bands like the Monkeys, and then they manufactured Disco.”

“The monkeys were great.” Came a voice.

“Disco is cool,” mumbled another voice.

“Okay. Yes some of it was great, but my point is that in the end business always controls whatever makes money, so why wouldn't AI take over making music?”

The room seemed interested suddenly so he stayed on the music theme.

“Delta Blues, rock-and-roll, country rock, folk rock, heavy metal, Punk, Rap and Techno all came from people not computers, art and fashion is the same way. Styles change when new ideas come along. Stop the human progression and everything will look and be the same. But don't be fooled into thinking that computers on their own can create anything new because they can't, only people can create. Machines can only copy.”

As he finished, he looked around the room and realized that he'd gone too far and that no one knew or cared what the hell he was talking about. They just wanted to pick up their smart phones from the lock box and go.