> Schleider says the ban is “very unfortunate” because while social media platforms are indeed designed in a harmful way, bans do nothing to make those platforms safer.

> “Social media is the first and often only place that young people seek out help and support, and cutting that off immediately with no warning has really adverse consequences,” she said.

This sounds like some cognitive bias I can’t quite pin point. Implement a ban and fast forward and you will have kids that have never been part of this addictive and abusive system. They won’t know what they’re “missing”. It was also hard for kids to no longer be allowed to smoke but that didn’t stop us to introduce an age floor regardless.

Exposure time is less important than exposure type. Phones and tablets encourage mindless consumption and discourage creativity and interaction by the limiting apps and input methods.

<old man> I spent every available minute on a desktop from age 7 to 17 but that time was split between games that require 100% of your attention, and message boards where you need to backread a thread for context. </old man>

Activities that require full attention and active participation make you feel better than scrolling for an hour, whether it's an challenging game, a longform discussion, or reading a book.