Experts say kids are spinning out online. Can Washington lawmakers help by putting seatbelts on social media?

Parents, tech workers and even kids are asking for social media regulation, and there’s a bill moving through the Washington State Legislature that could make it happen. Senate Bill 5708 would block apps like Instagram and Snapchat from using addictive algorithms to keep kids scrolling. It would also require apps to stop sending push notifications late at night and during school hours.

Monica talked to social psychologist Ravi Iyer from the University of Southern California about what these regulations might mean - not just for kids, but parents and the companies themselves. 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes. 

Do you have a question about the economy that you want us to answer? Or an idea for a future episode? Email us at booming@kuow.org. 

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producer is Lucy Soucek. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

Experts say kids are spinning out online. Can Washington lawmakers help by putting seatbelts on social media?
Parents, tech workers and even kids are asking for social media regulation, and there&rsquo;s a bill moving through the Washington State Legislature that could make it happen. Senate Bill 5708 would block apps like Instagram and Snapchat from using addictive algorithms to keep kids scrolling. It would also require apps to stop sending push notifications late at night and during school hours.
Monica talked to social psychologist Ravi Iyer from the University of Southern California about what these regulations might mean - not just for kids, but parents and the companies themselves.&nbsp;
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/booming">kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.</a>&nbsp;
Do you have a question about the economy that you want us to answer? Or an idea for a future episode? Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:booming@kuow.org">booming@kuow.org</a>.&nbsp;
Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/carol-smith">Carol Smith</a>. Our producer is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a><a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/whitney-henry-lester"></a>. Our hosts are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols">Joshua McNichols</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg">Monica Nickelsburg</a>.

Booming is a weekly podcast about the economic forces shaping our lives here in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area's been home to many booms over the years. It’s brought jobs, people, and wealth to the region, but also real growing pains that people here feel every day. In Booming, KUOW economy reporters Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg help listeners make sense of our ever-changing economy. We'll dig into what people are seeing or feeling and unpack the story behind it.

Booming is a weekly podcast about the economic forces shaping our lives here in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area's been home to many booms over the years. It&rsquo;s brought jobs, people, and wealth to the region, but also real growing pains that people here feel every day. In&nbsp;Booming, KUOW economy reporters Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg help listeners make sense of our ever-changing economy. We'll dig into what people are seeing or feeling and unpack the story behind it.

Booming

Experts say kids are spinning out online. Can Washington lawmakers help by putting seatbelts on social media? Monica talks to social psychologist Ravi Iyer from the University of Southern California about what Senate Bill 5708 and its proposed social media regulations might mean - not just for kids, but parents and the companies themselves. 

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