The internet has been around for decades, and kids have slowly inched their way onto the many platforms the internet has. Most kids have unrestricted internet access, which makes them vulnerable to cyber attacks and other things that can harm and change their life. Kids now have their own phones, tablets, etc. They rarely spend time off their device now, and it causes them to lose sleep and spend less time with family, and can cause mental health issues.
The dangers kids can encounter on the internet can ruin the way they see life. Messing with their mental state, affecting them immensely. They can go through cyberbullying causing them to harm themselves, and meet people they did not want to meet. Kids being online is very dangerous due to the type of people that are on the same platforms as them. That could be pretending to be a child and using "grooming" tactics to gain a minor's trust. These predators often hide behind anonymous profiles, manipulating young users into sharing private photos or meeting in person. Without the maturity to recognize these "red flags," children under 13 are the most vulnerable targets for those who wish to do them harm.
Opinions on whether children should have access to these platforms are different among students. Sophomore Mia Diamantis suggests a balanced approach, stating that she thinks they should be able to use it as much as they want as long as it has restrictions. The same type of opinion is shared by Sophomore Paola Leal M., who also believes that as long as it is restricted, kids can use it. On the other hand, some students believe the risks are too high for any usage at all. Sophomore Aaron Tyndale argues that they should not be allowed because kids that use it now have their "brain rotten," suggesting that the impact their device is doing to their brain is far too damaging to justify.
The physical and social toll of early internet access is equally damaging. Children who should be developing motor skills and social cues through face-to-face play are instead spending their formative years hunched over screens. This sedentary lifestyle contributes to physical health issues, while the "blue light" from screens disrupts essential sleep patterns needed for growth. By allowing children under 13 on the internet, we are trading their physical health and the ability to hold a real-world conversation for a digital distraction.
Ultimately, the internet was not built with the safety of children in mind, and therefore, kids under 13 should not be allowed to use it. The risks ranging from permanent psychological trauma to physical danger far outweigh any educational benefit that could be found elsewhere. We must protect the innocence of childhood by setting a firm boundary at age 13, ensuring that kids have the mental and emotional maturity to navigate the digital world before they are allowed to enter it.
