Support WBUR
Boston's Morning Newsletter
Some Mass. lawmakers want to ban social media for young teens. How would that work?
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
It's Thursday — and the Red Sox are on their first winning streak of the season. (Yes, it's two games, but it's not nothing.) Let's get to the news:
On Beacon Hill: Massachusetts may be behind most other states on school cellphone restrictions. But a new bill on Beacon Hill could propel the state to the leading edge when it comes to cracking down on the distracting devices for kids — both inside and outside of school. In a 129-25 vote last night, the state's House of Representatives passed a bill that would prohibit kids under the age of 14 from using social media altogether, in addition to instituting a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in public K-12 schools. State Rep. Alice Peisch, the original author behind the bill, told WBUR's John Bender the strict ban was motivated by growing concerns about how social media is affecting teen brains and mental health.
- What it would do? The bill would require social media companies to use an age verification system. Anyone younger than 14 would be banned from creating a social media account. And 14- and 15-year-olds would need a parent's consent. The bill also requires social media sites to delete existing accounts that don't comply with those rules. If passed, the policies would take effect this October.
- How it would it be enforced? According to Peisch, the bill gives Attorney General Andrea Campbell a lot of power on the oversight and implementation of the ban. Campbell's office would have to roll out regulations by September. It also calls for fines of up to $5,000 per violation for companies that don't comply.
- How has this worked elsewhere? A few other states, such as Florida and Ohio, have passed similar age-based social media limits, but they've quickly gotten jammed up in court. Net Choice — a trade group backed by all the major social media platforms, including Meta, X and TikTok — sued to block those laws, arguing that third-party age verification systems violate users' First Amendment rights and create cybersecurity risks. Civil liberties groups like the ACLU have concerns around free speech and privacy. Peisch, however, argues that the law sets "reasonable boundaries," not unlike age limits for getting a driver's license. "This is just what one would expect with any new, evolving technology that's becoming so widespread," the Wellesley Democrat said.
- What's next: The House's two-part bill now heads to the Senate, which passed a bill last year that similarly restricts cellphone use in schools. That bill didn't include any broader social media restrictions for teens. The Senate did, however, pass a separate data privacy bill that bans companies from selling minors' data or using it to target ads. A spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka said she applauds the House for moving on the school cellphone ban and is "excited to review their proposal protecting children from social media." Now, we wait to see what kind of compromise the two chambers can hammer out before the end of the legislative session this summer.
“This is LawrenceGate”: Campbell's office has launched an investigation into allegations that Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña's office was secretly recording conversations at City Hall. WBUR's Simón Rios reports that local police unions are now calling for his resignation and city councilors are questioning how many recordings exist. DePeña's office has also has hired a private firm to investigate.
- The backstory: The controversy began with a leaked tape captured a heated argument between DePeña's chief of staff (who has since been fired) and the city's airport director. City councilors say the camera outside the mayor’s office was in clear view, but people didn't know it was recording sound.
Running it back? Rachael Rollins is taking steps toward running for her old job: Suffolk County district attorney. Rollins pulled papers Wednesday to potentially run for the office, state officials confirmed. (On the same day, Rollins also announced a podcast with former basketball player Dana Barros.) Rollins previously served as Suffolk DA from 2019 until 2022, when she took an appointment to be U.S. Attorney. She stepped down from that position a year later amid an ethics investigation.
Bless the rains: Drought conditions have significantly subsided across Massachusetts over the last month, according to the latest report. State environmental officials downgraded the northeast and central regions of Massachusetts from a "significant" drought (Level 3, on the scale of 1 to 4) to a mild drought (Level 1). And some areas are back to normal conditions. Click here for the updated map.
Full speed ahead: The MBTA says it finished pre-testing signal upgrades at the Red Line's Columbia Junction — meaning an end to the service changes and full-line slowdowns that have been in effect for the last few weeks. Regular service resumed yesterday, though there are some weekend disruptions coming in May
P.S.— Remember those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books? WBUR made a new climate fiction podcast for kids and families called "The Midnight Rebellion." Set in Boston's not-so-distant future, you'll help characters tackle humanity's great existential threat: climate change. And your choices change the story. Listen to the trailer now, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
