[tssva]

> We can however easily imagine what's happening in this particular case, and the data support it.

I have yet to see credible data regarding causation and I prefer that large societal decisions not be made based upon imagination. Comic books, pinball, rock n roll, violent video games at some point were all claimed to be destroying our youth and there was "data" presented to back it up.

Teen drug, alcohol, nicotine and sexual activity are significantly down since 2009. Maybe social media is causing that too and on the whole is a benefit. Or maybe teens are more depressed because they aren't getting high, drinking, smoking or screwing enough.

> Like climate change

Climate change has actual quality data and science behind it, so it is nothing alike.

[tgv]

> Climate change has actual quality data and science behind it, so it is nothing alike.

I don't disagree, but

> I prefer that large societal decisions not be made based upon imagination

with that attitude, no decision can ever be taken. Social sciences can't produce the evidence you need. It's correlations all the way.

But also:

* Not acting is also taking a decision, because social media isn't going to stop any time soon. How's there evidence for just letting things continue?

* How is stopping children (until, say, 18) a large societal decision? That's just minor. There isn't even a risk involved. Children didn't have social media until 10-15 years ago at all. Did that stump their progress or something?

[tssva]

Those under 18 are people too and they have fundamental rights just as other people do. This includes free speech rights. This right is even specifically protected by Article 13 of the Convention on the Rights of Children. I recognize that free speech rights have limitations, but I consider any decision by the state to limit speech major and should require more than casual correlation based upon shady data. Individual parents can decide what they want for their children but the state should stay out of it.