The Federal Trade Commission announced proposed regulations on Thursday that would impose sweeping new requirements on social media platforms to protect children and teenagers from harmful content and predatory advertising. The regulations follow a two-year investigation.
The FTC investigation found that major platforms had deployed sophisticated algorithms designed to maximize engagement among young users, including recommending increasingly extreme content and using psychological manipulation techniques to encourage compulsive use.
"This platform built a business model on the exploitation of children, and the evidence is overwhelming," said FTC Chair Rebecca Martinez. "These regulations will ensure that platforms can no longer treat our children as products to be sold."
The platforms have announced plans to challenge the regulations, arguing they exceed the FTC's authority and would effectively prohibit their services to minors. "We share the concern about protecting young people online, but these regulations need significant revision," the company said in a statement.
Privacy advocates applauded the proposed regulations, which represent the most aggressive federal action against social media platforms to date. "This is a watershed moment for children's online safety," said Dr. Susan Williams of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.