AB 2657 ā€“ Establish a Social Media Commission

What is this bill about?

Assembly Bill 2657 establishes a commission to investigate the methods used by social media companies and to make recommendations on how to prevent future impacts on the mental health of children and adolescents.

How does it align with yliā€™s values?

The promise of social media was to build virtual communities that would bring people together to share information and ideas. Unfortunately, social media companies have abused their position as facilitators of some of the most personal human interactions by prioritizing screen time and profits over the mental health of their users. Because of the drastic increase in social media usage, todayā€™s teens and adolescents are in crisis at epidemic levels. Fifty percent of teens report at least one symptom of clinical dependency on social media, including restlessness, withdrawal from friends and family, neglecting responsibilities, and increasingly relying on social media as a coping mechanism.

AB 2657 establishes a commission to investigate the methods used by social media companies and to make recommendations on how to prevent future impacts on the mental health of children and adolescents.

This policy aligns with our Health Justice Platform, which envisions a thriving world that supports healthy choices for all people.

What is yli doing about it?

yli leads the Healthy Online Platforms for Everyone (HOPE) Coalition to hold social media companies accountable for the messaging youth receive online. HOPE includes youth, organizations, and responsible tech advocators across California, and centers youth experiences to lead conversations, drive research, and advocate for safer online spaces.

Through the HOPE Coalition, we are learning about how social media has impacted our society and the need to build a commission of those affected. Many of us are working in isolation – conducting our own research, advocating for similar policies, and sharing common experiences. HOPE Coalition is space to learn together, share our campaigns and envision an online world that uplifts youth well-being and connections.

Who else supports this bill?

  • The Social Changery
  • Children Now
  • Daly City Youth Health CenterĀ 
  • One East Palo AltoĀ 
  • American Academy of Pediatrics, California
  • New Hope Academy of Change
  • Global Society of REtired Computer ScientistsĀ 
  • Wings of Healing MinistriesĀ 
  • Therapists for Peace & JusticeĀ 
  • Harris Consulting Oracle Apps INCĀ 
  • Halimiton Inst.Ā 
  • Prevention Partnership International

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