CV NEWS FEED // Planned Parenthood is opposing a New Jersey bill that would require minors to obtain parental approval before using social media.
Live Action reported that Democratic Assemblyman Herb Conaway introduced the social media restriction bill in November, saying that social media is contributing to negative issues among children and young people.
“We have to get a hold of this,” Conaway said in November, according to Live Action. “Everyone in our country should be alarmed [at] the rising prevalence of mental illness among our children. Much of it can be laid at the feet of social media. The government has to step in and act responsibly.”
If passed, the bill would require minors residing in New Jersey to obtain consent from a parent or guardian before creating a social media account. The bill also prohibits the social media platform from collecting unnecessary personal information and from allowing direct messaging between the minor’s social media account and “any other adult user that is not linked to the account through adding on the social media platform.”
In a recent letter submitted to New Jersey lawmakers, Planned Parenthood stated that it opposes the bill because it restricts access to information.
“Any restrictions to accessing the internet will cut off entire populations—oftentimes the most vulnerable populations—who need access to information,” Planned Parenthood wrote, adding that “vulnerable populations” include LGBTQ youth seeking resources and patients seeking “reproductive healthcare,” among other individuals.
“LGBTQ+ youth who may not have supportive parents or guardians may be cut off from access to mental health support, community, and information regarding their health, resources which have been proven to be critical for many in the LGBTQ+ community,” Planned Parenthood argued.
The company continued:
Patients seeking reproductive healthcare may want to be anonymous when seeking out health care organizations, information and resources, which often happens on social media platforms.
Live Action pointed out that Planned Parenthood is invested in keeping minors on social media because “grooming children for early sexual activity” is easily accomplished online. The more sexual activity is normalized, the more profit Planned Parenthood gains.
“By selling sex to children at younger and younger ages, Planned Parenthood can create future customers—children who will come to Planned Parenthood for STD treatments, birth control, and abortion, all of which would profit the abortion giant,” Live Action reported.
“And as usual, they don’t want parents involved,” Live Action continued. “Social media definitely does give Planned Parenthood the opportunity to reach a vulnerable population—children—without the knowledge or approval of their parents, and Conaway’s bill threatens that.”
