The House Special Rules Committee adopted an amended resolution Wednesday that would create a new House Study Committee on Social Media Platforms and Accountability. Committee Chair Rep. Steven Sainz, R-St. Marys, presented HR 119 which was originally intended to create a joint study committee with the House and Senate.
The substitute to HR 119 adopted Wednesday allows for the study committee to operate under the House’s authority and “ensures that the scope of the study committee aligns with broader priorities,” said Sainz.
The study committee will be tasked with taking a holistic look at all forms of social media and the impact it has on children. Sainz said the committee – which will be made up of appointees by the Speaker of the House – will work to identify legislative solutions to address social media accountability, including censorship, effects on youth health, data regarding the impacts on teenage girls, consumer data usage and mental health effects.
The study committee would submit its findings and legislative recommendations to the state legislature prior to the 2024 legislative session.
“We want to look at all platforms of social media and the unintended consequences associated with them, as well as examining the negative impacts they may be having on our children — especially on their health and self-esteem,” said Sainz. “We want to determine what policies might be appropriate for the state to consider, and what we believe would be a healthy step to ensure positive outcomes for our children.
“The main goals are to make sure that our children and data are kept safe,” Sainz added.
The resolution also calls for the committee to review issues surrounding censorship of speech by social media platforms.
Other members of the House committee commended Sainz for this effort and some expressed their willingness to serve on the study committee.
“As an educator, I believe this is a very important step,” said Rep. Rick Townsend, R-Brunswick. “Social media can get out of control, and we all see instances of bad things that can happen as a result.”
