Rahm Emanuel says U.S. should follow Australia's youth social media ban

Rahm Emanuel Advocates for U.S. Social Media Restrictions for Minors

In a move that could stir the political pot ahead of a potential presidential bid, Rahm Emanuel is urging the United States to take a cue from Australia and implement a ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. The former mayor of Chicago and seasoned political operative is alarmed by the addictive qualities of social media platforms and the associated health and safety risks they pose to young users.

Emanuel’s timing is notably ironic; he plans to unveil his initiative on Tuesday, coinciding with the enforcement of Australia’s ban, through a video shared on his own social media channels. As he put it, “We have to decide who will serve as a moral compass for our youth. I lean toward prioritizing adults over algorithms.” In an interview, he accused Big Tech of favoring profits over the welfare of adolescents, a sentiment that resonates amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on mental health.

This advocacy marks a significant shift in Emanuel’s political strategy as he sharpens his policy focus, which has ranged from education to public safety in the lead-up to the pivotal midterm elections. Meanwhile, Democrats are increasingly engaging social media influencers to connect with younger voters, creating an ironic juxtaposition between electoral strategies targeted at adults and the public health crisis affecting minors.

By comparing the solution to youth social media access to his tenure as mayor, where he successfully raised the minimum age for tobacco purchases, Emanuel proposes that legislators should focus on regulating popular apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. “We cannot afford to let another generation fall by the wayside due to political indecision,” he asserted.

Interestingly, Emanuel’s position appears more stringent than that of some potential Democratic rivals, as he takes a clear stance against the Big Tech lobby, which has vociferously opposed regulatory measures by claiming they infringe on free speech. Despite having accepted donations from tech moguls like Eric Schmidt and Sheryl Sandberg in the past, Emanuel claims his current stance reflects an independence from these companies.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently enacted legislation mandating social media platforms to place health warning labels for minors and requiring age verification for users. Similarly, Maryland’s Gov. Wes Moore introduced a “Kids Code” aimed at limiting data collection from children, although it currently faces a legal challenge. Illinois, under Gov. JB Pritzker, has also taken steps to compensate child social media creators.

While Emanuel emphasized that any proposed social media ban would be central to his presidential platform, he reiterated that “anything that focuses on enhancing academic standards and safeguarding children’s health will take precedence.” Australia’s landmark social media ban is set to restrict access to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for those under 16, imposing hefty fines on their parent companies if they fail to comply. Critics from the tech industry have labeled the measure as hasty and “short-sighted”, arguing it won’t effectively safeguard children online. Nonetheless, some platforms have already begun deactivating accounts in compliance.

Support for a similar ban in the U.S. seems to be gaining traction; nearly 60% of voters in a Quinnipiac University poll conducted late last year expressed support for age restrictions, although enthusiasm waned among the 18 to 34 demographic. An August POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab poll revealed that 45% of registered California voters favored a ban on social media for those under 16.

A bipartisan coalition of senators, including Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who appears to be positioning himself for another presidential run in 2028, has introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting social media access for children under 13. Emanuel commended this initiative as having “the right thrust.” Additionally, another bipartisan group has reintroduced legislation that mandates social media companies to eliminate features that could negatively impact youth mental health, which previously passed the Senate with a resounding 91-3 but has stalled in the House due to ongoing disputes between the two chambers.

Amidst the backdrop of congressional gridlock, various states, primarily with Republican leadership, have enacted laws aimed at restricting minors’ access to social media by requiring parental consent and setting digital curfews. These measures, however, have faced significant pushback from industry groups representing tech giants, leading to many laws being blocked in courts.

Nevertheless, a divided panel of appeals judges recently permitted Florida to enforce a law that prohibits children under 14 from using several social media platforms, requiring parental approval for those aged 14 and 15. This law, championed by former presidential contender and GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been touted as a measure to protect children from online dangers.

Emanuel acknowledged the formidable legal challenges that a sweeping social media ban would encounter. However, he believes there exists a compelling argument for framing such restrictions as a public health initiative rather than an attack on technology itself.

Contributions to this report were made by Tyler Katzenberger, Andrew Atterbury, and Shia Kapos.