Fitness trainer and media personality Jillian Michaels is urging parents to take a more active role in protecting their children from the potential risks of social media and online activities. During an appearance on "The Faulkner Focus," Michaels emphasized the importance of limiting children's access to online activities, including putting parental controls on their phones and devices.
Michaels also called on social media companies to make their algorithms safer for kids, stating that they have created an "addictive product" and that parents should continue to put pressure on them to make changes. She noted that many parents may not be aware of the scale of the issues their children face in the modern age, including excessive screen time, mental health issues, and over-medicalization.
In her new Fox Nation documentary, "Toxic 2: A Generation on the Brink," Michaels examines the risks children face and is joined by experts, including psychology researcher Jean Twenge. Twenge argues that individuals who begin using smartphones at an early age are more likely to experience mental health issues later in life, citing studies that show a significant increase in depression among heavy social media users.
Social media companies have faced increasing pressure to be regulated and held accountable for the potential effects of their platforms. In August, Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion to settle claims that it designed Facebook and Instagram to addict children and misled the public about the platforms' safety. Meta denied the allegations.
Michaels' documentary is now streaming on Fox Nation, and she is advising parents to take a proactive approach to protecting their children from the potential risks of online activities.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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