TRENTON, NJ – Conservative darling Senator Ed Durr, a truck driver from South Jersey said social media is harming America’s youth.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Durr, aimed at delving into the effects of social media usage on students both inside and outside of public schools, has been officially signed into law.
Durr said the increasing prevalence of social media has created a constant influx of information for young individuals, shaping their perception of reality and potentially impacting their mental and emotional well-being. Incidents of bullying, harassment, and negative interactions on various social media platforms have raised concerns about their potential detrimental effects on students’ ability to learn and thrive in the educational environment.
“The widespread use of social media has connected younger people to an endless stream of information that can shape their perception of reality and negatively impact their mental and emotional state. We’ve heard the horror stories of students who have been bullied or harassed on various social media sites and how this has impacted their ability to learn in school,” said Durr (R-3). “By studying the impact that social media usage is having on kids today, we can determine ways to limit their exposure to negative information and interactions online. This commission will help determine how we can improve students mental and emotional health as well as their academic performance.”
Speaking about the significance of the new law, Senator Durr, representing the Republican party in District 3, expressed the need to study the impact of social media on students to identify ways to minimize exposure to harmful content and interactions online. The establishment of the Commission on Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents, as outlined in Bill S-715, aims to address the mental and emotional needs of students, ultimately leading to improvements in their academic performance.
The commission’s primary objective is to comprehensively examine the effects of social media usage on students across different age groups. It will delve into the emotional, physical, and mental development of students, while also analyzing its impact on their academic achievements.
“Using social media in a learning environment is a distraction that not only negatively impacts a student’s academic performance, but can lead to larger problems with their mental, physical, and emotional health,” Durr added. “We need to protect our students from the damaging impact that social media can have on their young minds when they are both in and out of school. This law is a great first step to study the impact of social media usage so we can better understand how to address the mental health needs of students.”
Specifically, the commission will investigate the influence of social media on students’ emotional health by studying incidents of depression, anxiety, harassment, body dysmorphia, bullying, and various forms of disruptive or violent behaviors. Additionally, the study will explore the potential effects on physical health, such as sleep deprivation, weight fluctuations, and high blood pressure.
As part of its mandate, the commission will be tasked with devising social media usage standards and effective strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of social media on students’ overall well-being, thereby promoting improved academic performance.
Senator Durr emphasized that the use of social media in educational settings can be distracting and negatively impact students’ scholastic achievements, potentially leading to more significant challenges concerning mental, physical, and emotional health. The newly passed law signifies a vital first step in understanding the true impact of social media usage, with the aim of safeguarding students from potential harm and addressing their mental health needs more effectively.
With the commission set to conduct an in-depth study, policymakers hope to gain valuable insights that will guide future initiatives aimed at creating a healthier and more conducive learning environment for students in New Jersey. As social media continues to play a significant role in the lives of young individuals, the findings of this commission are expected to shape policies and interventions that prioritize the well-being and academic success of the state’s students.