Addictive qualities of certain apps prompt concern amongst parents
A recent ruling in the US regarding smartphone apps should be a wake up call to the Isle of Man Government, according to some parents on the Island.
The trial in California in March found that Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, and Google, owner of YouTube, intentionally designed social media platforms to be addictive.
The tech companies were successfully sued by a twenty-year old woman who argued that the way their apps were designed had a negative impact on her mental health.
Known as Kaley, she was awarded $6m (£4.5m) in damages.
Meta and Google said they disagreed with the verdict and intended to appeal, with Meta saying "Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.
In response to a recent question in the House of Keys, Government said it had no plans to ban social media for under-16s but will 'continue to monitor international debate on the issue'.
See HERE.
Campaigners John Bolton and Jessica Cross see the recent verdict as a watershed moment, and want the Isle of Man to take notice:
John and Jessica both began speaking out on this issue following the creation of the 'Delay Smartphones IOM' group and have cited a growing movement of like-minded parents on the Island and around the world joining campaigns such as Smartphone Free Childhood.
You can listen to the full interview with John and Jessica via the Manx Radio Newscast below:
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