Should the Government Restrict Teens’ Use of Social Media?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What effect is social media having on teens? Is it the government’s role to protect teens from online threats?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the government should restrict teens’ use of social media. The issue is timely because most teens use social media, and concerns have escalated about its impact on their mental health.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (James Steyer founded an organization that advocates for child protections on the internet. Jason Kelley works for an organization that campaigns for online freedom of speech.)  

3. Core Skill Practice
Project or distribute Analyzing Authors’ Claims, and have students use the activity to analyze and evaluate each author’s arguments.

• Analyze Steyer’s view. (Steyer argues for restricting teen access to social media. He says that social media negatively affects teens’ well-being. He argues that the government banned selling cigarettes to minors and requires seat belts in cars, so it can restrict teens’ use of addictive social media and require that social media platforms be safer for teens.)

• Analyze Kelley’s view. (Kelley argues against restricting access to social media. He says that teens use social media to access important resources and that restricting it could potentially harm teens. He also argues that restrictions are an unconstitutional violation of teens’ right to free speech.) 

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Should the government restrict teens’ use of social media? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.